SONOMA COUNTY, CA — “Defendant Zoe Rosenberg, 23-years-old of Berkeley, was sentenced today by the Honorable Kenneth Gnoss after a Sonoma County jury convicted her in November of felony conspiracy and three misdemeanors arising from a coordinated June 13, 2023 incursion at Petaluma Poultry. The jury found that she conspired with other Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) members to unlawfully enter the USDA regulated facility, remove live chickens, steal business records, and interfere with commercial operations. She was sentenced to 90 days of county jail, 60 of which can be served on jail alternatives such as electronic home confinement, as a condition of felony probation.
District Attorney Rodriguez stated: ‘Defendant and her organization, Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) showed a remarkable lack of credibility during these proceedings. As the jury’s quick verdict demonstrated, their claims without exception were built on selective omissions, misunderstandings, and a willingness to ignore clear facts that cut against their narrative. Simply stated, breaking into a heavily regulated, biosecure food processing facility that supplies food to consumers in this county and across the country is dangerous and illegal. Strong beliefs do not excuse fabricated conclusions, and they do not place anyone above the law.
Defendant and her organization have crossed this line before, and another jury has already rejected the same tactics and the same unfounded claims. My office sought a 6-month jail sentence without jail alternatives. The Court did not agree and sentenced her to 90 days in jail, 60 of which can be served with jail alternatives. As the court noted, Ms. Rosenberg has never apologized for her behavior and shows no remorse for her actions. We do not believe that this sanction will deter the defendant or others in her organization from continuing the behavior that they have engaged in over the past 7 years in this county. Nevertheless, sentencing is the Court’s prerogative. We do wish, however, to put others on notice that my office is committed to enforcing the law, and to preventing the obstruction of legitimate business operations. These incursions are clearly illegal and must stop.’…