Protect The Harvest | Sonoma County Ballot Initiative Threatens Livestock Farming

The aggressive animal extremist group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) – known for their illegal “open rescue” tactics of trespassing to break into private agribusinesses and steal livestock or poultry – is in the spotlight again as they continue deceit aimed at a “Prohibition on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations” (CAFOs) via a 2024 California county ballot initiative.

Similar to many animal extremist public policy efforts, this petition is a ballot initiative that, if enough signatures are collected, would show up on the Sonoma County November 2024 ballot. If successful, this would essentially disrupt all large, modern livestock farms in Sonoma County, the majority of which are family-owned and operated. Numerous dairies (over 700 cows) and all poultry farms in the country are currently at risk.

We reported on DxE activities several times in the past (links below). In addition to trespassing, breaking and entering, and stealing, the group also stages disruptive publicity stunts at restaurants, food processing facilities, street corners, sports and other venues, spreading disinformation about animal agriculture and other animal businesses. While there have been numerous DxE arrests,