Hi John,

Zoe here. I lead Direct Action Everywhere’s social media team and coordinate trainings for investigators and open rescuers. I’m also a full-time student at UC Berkeley where I have designed my own major on social movements, and I’m currently wearing a GPS ankle monitor and facing over five years in prison for rescuing animals from Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse in Northern California. I’m going to take you along on a day in my life this year - specifically May 3rd, 2024. 
May 3rd was the day of my preliminary hearing in the Perdue Rescue Trial. This is where the prosecutors present their evidence and a judge decides if there’s probable cause to move forward to trial. The court routine is the same: get up at the crack of dawn, put on nice clothes, get to court super early, gather with supporters, go through security (the guards all know us by now).
In court, we heard testimony from Officer David Arvizo and Detective Corie Joerger. I had to sit there and not react while I heard them repeatedly admit on the stand that they were aware of reports of criminal animal cruelty at the Petaluma Poultry Slaughterhouse, including birds being scalded and boiled alive, yet had taken no actions to investigate or address it.

While it was disturbing to hear this confirmed by “enforcers” of the law, I was grateful that the public and the press had the opportunity to hear some of what is happening to animals at this horrific slaughterhouse, and I’m proud that I was part of a team that uncovered this abuse and saved animals from this fate.

After the hearing, the judge dropped one of my charges, consolidated my felony conspiracy charges into one, and decided the case would move forward to trial.
As soon as court was over I switched over to social media mode, editing a quick video to post on the DxE page to update people on what happened, and did some press interviews. 

I also got back to work helping plan a series of protests against celebrity chef and Petaluma Poultry ambassador Tyler Florence that were set to happen in the following weeks. We planned to protest him at every single one of his tour stops asking him to cut ties with Petaluma Poultry, which involves a lot of coordination with many different activists across the country. (Flash forward a few months later: He officially ended his partnership with the company, as did their only other celebrity ambassador, because of our campaign!) 
When I got home, it was time to charge my ankle monitor. I have to charge it every day and wear it 24/7 (even while showering), which is not only annoying but a daily reminder that the state, industry, and FBI is trying to paint me as a danger to society. I believe that one of the reasons they forced me to wear this is to try to break me down and quash our movement.

Yet I am not deterred. I’m not scared of the trial itself. I’m actually excited because I believe it will be a powerful opportunity to expose Perdue to the world.
But, I am nervous for the verdict and possible sentencing. While it isn’t fun, I am not afraid of jail generally and I trust my ability to adjust to stressful situations. However, I am scared I’m going to die from medical neglect if I end up in custody long-term (I have Type 1 Diabetes). I’m also scared animals I love might die and I won’t get to say goodbye.

I’m choosing to face these fears because I have seen firsthand the power of rescue, of sacrifice, and of court cases. I will be going on trial with no regrets. It has all been worth it to give Poppy, Ivy, Aster and Azalea, the four chickens I rescued, a chance to experience care, compassion, and freedom for the first time in their lives.

The countdown to trial is on. I’m risking everything for these animals, and in order to stand up to this repression, I need your support.

Today is the last day to donate to our end of year fundraiser and have your donation doubled. Please donate today. 
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For Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea, and for all their siblings we have yet to save. 

Thank you,

Zoe

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