Activist: Goal was to rescue chickens, have dialogue at Petaluma poultry farm

An image of a chicken with an eye injury and that was believed to be too frail to flee humans was indicative of the chicken population at a poultry farm just outside Petaluma where activists held a protest in 2018, one of them told a jury Thursday.

Wayne Hsiung, who is on trial in Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa on charges of misdemeanor trespassing and felony conspiracy related to two poultry farm protests in 2018 and 2019, presented the photo to jurors as he began his defense.

The 42-year-old, who is representing himself, took the stand to testifyThursday afternoon. He alleged that the photo is of a chicken that came from Sunrise Farms. He said the chicken’s condition justified the protest by animal activists, which took place there on May 29, 2018.

“Our goal was to show people what we were seeing at Sunrise Farms,” Hsiung told the jury of four men and eight women.

It was the first day the defense presented its argument after the prosecution rested its case on Wednesday.

Hsiung detailed his path from law student to animal activist before coming to the events of May 29, 2018.

He emphasized to jurors the protesters encouraged a law enforcement presence and the plan was never to put Sunrise Farms out of business.

“It was, rather, to encourage dialogue and give the animals some care,” Hsiung said.

Whereas prosecutors contend the protesters were not permitted to be on the property, Hsiung argued they cooperated with law enforcement and went where they were told.

He illustrated this by showing livestreamed footage of him interacting with authorities during the protest.

His testimony mostly revolved around the Sunrise Farms protest before proceedings wrapped up for the day. Additional testimony in the coming days is expected to focus on the second protest, which took place at Reichardt Duck Farm on June 3, 2019.

Footage of that incident was presented Tuesday and it showed several protesters storming the property and chaining themselves to farm equipment.

Prosecutors say Hsiung led the 2019 protest, but he countered that he never stepped foot on Reichardt property and was only present to support his fellow activists.

On Thursday, Hsiung presented his testimony as a narrative timeline that referenced experiences, colleagues and experts who fueled his ambition to save poultry.

Sonoma County Judge Laura Passaglia and Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner frequently interrupted Hsiung. They reminded him to refer to himself as “I” instead of “we,” which would insinuate he’s testifying for other people.

On several occasions, Passaglia also scolded Hsiung for being ill prepared with evidence and delaying proceedings, which are expected to enter their sixth day Friday.

If convicted as charged, Hsiung could be sentenced to as much as three years and eight months in prison, according to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.

He is the co-founder of a Berkeley-based organization, Direct Action Everywhere, which has promoted animal rights and safety across the country.

Protesters had been accused of stepping onto properties in large numbers and illegally entering facilities. Their goal, according to court testimony, was to remove chickens and ducks they believed were being mistreated and film poor conditions they believed existed.

They contended animals were being mistreated and, under California’s animal cruelty laws, they claimed they had the right to rescue poultry in distress.

Each poultry farm owner and staffer who testified was asked by Waner if they gave protesters permission to be on their property. All replied that they hadn’t.

Hundreds of protesters were present at each gathering and several have been present at each of Hsiung’s hearings since the trial began last week.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi