Fotrty demonstrators were arrested at an animal rights protest this afternoon at Sunrise Farms in Petaluma. The Sheriff's Office received a call at noon today of trespassers on the property of Sunrise Egg Farms in the 300 block of Liberty Rd. It was reported that the animal rights activists had stormed the property, broken doors to chicken coops and removed chickens.
Upon arrival, deputies were met by approximately 200 people setting up a coordinated protest. Organizers of the demonstration demanded to be allowed access to the property and videotape what they perceived to be sick or improperly cared for chickens.
Management of the egg farm agreed to let an organizer come onto his property to view the chickens but negotiations broke down as protesters demanded that 20 people be allowed access with video cameras and to take any birds they felt were sick or injured.
After three hours of negotiating, organizers felt they wanted to andvance their cause and publicity by getting arrested. They cooperatively worked with deputies, advising they had 40 people who predetermined that they were going to be arrrested.
The 40 protesters worked cooperatively with deputies and advanced onto the farm property and were all arrested without incident for trespassing. A transport bus took them to the Sonoma County Jail where they will be booked and released on a citation to appear in court.
Deputies worked with the organizers and have taken a report, to be forwarded to the California Department of Food and Agriculture which regulates commercial chicken farrms.
Submitted by: Sgt. Spencer Crum
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