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Hi John,

Yesterday was a pivotal moment in the historic Perdue Rescue Trial. Defendant Zoe Rosenberg took the stand and shared exactly why she rescued four suffering birds from the Perdue-owned Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse.

Zoe spoke about growing up with chickens and how she *founded a sanctuary for rescued animals* called Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary. She testified that she has cared for *thousands of chickens* over the years alongside her mother, a veterinarian. She described how those experiences shaped her belief in animal rights — and that factory farms and slaughterhouses should not exist.

Zoe also testified about her work *with law enforcement* rescuing animals from cockfighting rings and hoarding cases, and about her *activism with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE)* , leading investigations, trainings, and public education efforts to expose animal cruelty.

When asked about the night of *June 13, 2023* , Zoe was clear and unwavering: she *rescued four birds* from the Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse — whom she named Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea — and brought them to receive care. She testified that she believed the slaughterhouse was *criminally abusing animals* , that the birds she rescued were *sick and suffering* , and that her actions were *lawful* , in part due to a *legal opinion from a former federal prosecutor.*

During this testimony, the *prosecution objected* to Zoe’s use of the word “rescue.” But the judge overruled the objection, stating that it will be *up to the jury to decide* whether what Zoe did was a rescue or a crime.

Before Zoe took the stand, *investigator Raven Deerbrook* completed her testimony, describing her earlier investigation into the Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse where she placed hidden cameras and documented chickens hung upside down by shackles and *flailing on the slaughter line* after the electric stun bath meant to render them unconscious, as well as *bright red, dead chickens* in a waste bin, which she testified she believed indicated the animals were scalded alive.

Raven testified that she shared her findings with Zoe. When Zoe testified, she shared how viewing these photos and videos impacted her. She said it was painful to watch the footage of birds flailing on the kill floor, especially because she imagined her own cornish cross chickens going through that and knew how much pain they would be in.

*Multiple reporters were in the courtroom* for Zoe’s testimony, helping to *bring what happens in this historic trial out to the world.* While the jury decides if this was a rescue or a crime, the *public can form their own opinions, too.*

See some of the coverage here:

* The Press Democrat — “Zoe Rosenberg testifies she rescued chickens, not committed crimes, in Petaluma Poultry case” ( [link removed] )
* San Francisco Chronicle — “UC Berkeley activist testifies she saved sick birds, not stole them, in chicken rescue trial” ( [link removed] )
* ABC7 News Bay Area — “Slaughterhouse chickens stolen or saved?” (starting at the 8:48 minute mark) ( [link removed] )

*Help us spread this powerful story far and wide. Become a monthly donor today.* ( [link removed] ) ** Monthly gifts of any size will be boosted by an additional $100 donation from a supporter. At $25+/month, you’ll also receive a limited edition Right to Rescue mug featuring animals at the heart of our trials.

On Monday, *Zoe will continue her testimony.* Then, the prosecution is attempting to call several rebuttal witnesses, including DxE lead organizer Almira Tanner whom they subpoenaed in court yesterday. As the prosecution continues to make last-minute moves, it’s unclear what will happen next. *Zoe is standing strong in the face of unjust repression, with her incredible legal team and the movement behind her.*

Follow the Perdue Trial X account ( [link removed] ) , our Court Watch blog ( [link removed] ) , or UnchainedTV ( [link removed] ) for the latest updates.

Thanks,
Cassie

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