Hi John,
Trader Joe’s has filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court against Direct Action Everywhere, our SF Bay Area Chapter, and five organizers including me. The company is seeking a court order to stop our protests calling attention to the cruelty behind their supposedly "free range" chicken supplier, Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry.
This lawsuit is a clear attempt to silence criticism and keep the public from seeing the suffering we’ve documented at Petaluma Poultry: birds with infectious diseases left untreated, injured animals unable to reach food or water, and chickens who were boiled alive at the slaughterhouse. These abuses are not only inhumane. They're illegal under California law.
Trader Joe's knows about this cruelty. They have received thousands of emails, calls, letters, and social media comments from compassionate people asking them to do the right thing and cut ties with Perdue's Petaluma Poultry. Yet, instead of dropping this cruel supplier, they're suing the messengers.
But we will not be silenced. Not when animals are suffering. Not when the truth is on our side.
In recent weeks, despite the mounting repression, activists have protested at Trader Joe's stores across California, speaking up for animals from on top of cash registers and from inside shopping carts, and even by dropping a banner from the roof of a Trader Joe's in San Francisco. A few days ago, activists held a powerful funeral for the chickens inside Trader Joe’s in Oakland. Then just yesterday, DxE activists in Los Angeles disrupted the grand opening of a new Trader Joe’s store, bringing the message to drop Perdue's Petaluma Poultry front and center.
This lawsuit is actually drawing more attention to the issue. Media outlets from California to the UK have covered this story, exposing the cruelty at Petaluma Poultry and Trader Joe’s attempt to cover it up.
Yesterday, Trader Joe's tried to speed things up by applying for a temporary restraining order against us. They did this in an "ex parte" process, meaning from only one party without the presence of opposing counsel. This is a process meant for emergencies where there's an immediate threat to someone, such as seeking an urgent restraining order against a domestic abuser or stalker.
We stand by our actions to defend animals. The legal system is failing to enforce laws meant to protect animals. Industry giants like Perdue are getting away with torturing animals for profit. Companies like Trader Joe's are deceiving customers with fraudulent humane marketing. But we will film the true conditions, rescue suffering animals, and speak out loudly to demand justice. Will you join us?
In solidarity,
Cassie King
