Now it's the Defense's turn as the Chicken Rescue Trial of 23-year old animal cruelty investigator Zoe Rosenberg enters its 16th day. It's a case that's riveted the nation. Some say it's also putting industrialized animal agriculture on trial. Members of the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) have attended the trial daily to support Rosenberg and her legal team, which includes Chris Carraway of the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project and Kevin Little.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports, "Some of those spectators were in tears when Little showed the jury a picture of the 'condemnation pot,' which he said is where all chickens Petaluma Poultry deems not suitable for human consumption end up. He went on to display video of chickens flapping their wings as they hung upside down in a slaughter line."

Rosenberg faces about half a decade in prison after rescuing 4 chickens from a truck at the slaughterhouse in June of 2023. The total value of the chickens has been estimated at $24. It's not known how much this trial will cost taxpayers as it enters its 5th week in Sonoma County, California.

Music icon Moby is now praising Rosenberg, comparing her to historical social justice figures who faced imprisonment for their ethical beliefs. "When you look at history, the number of people who've been where she is, the number of people who have been arrested and persecuted for their ethical beliefs, she's certainly in good historical company," Moby told UnchainedTV reporter Michelle Celestino adding, "She's in company with Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King, Jr. and on and on and on, like with the suffragettes, like so many people who've been arrested for doing the right thing." Moby expressed sympathy for Rosenberg, saying, "I don't know if there is any comfort in that, but she's certainly on the right side of history."

The first defense witnesses expected? Fellow Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) member Rocky Chau and animal care expert Carla Cabral.

Cabral reportedly took care of the 4 chickens Zoe rescued (named Poppy, Ivy, Aster & Azalea) and is expected to describe their condition around the time they were taken off the slaughter truck. Zoe has said they were visibly ill and suffering, adding that her repeated attempts to get law enforcement to investigate the slaughterhouse were ignored, sparking her decision to undertake the rescue. The defendant and Direct Action Everywhere claim chickens are sometimes boiled alive at the facility due to the high speed nature of the killing process. The defense team also asserted that about 4,000 chickens were crammed into the slaughter truck from which the 4 chickens were removed.

The company in question, Perdue-owned Petaluma Poultry, denies the animal cruelty allegations insisting it has high animal welfare standards and calling Rosenberg and DxE extremists with a radical agenda. The company is invited on any time.

UnchainedTV is providing daily live coverage of the trial with a team of attorneys, analysts and reporter Matthew Zirbel live at the courthouse.

💡 DONATION INFO & UNCHAINEDTV LINKS Thank you for watching! UnchainedTV is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our vision is a world where plant‑based, cruelty‑free, sustainable living is the norm—across food, fashion, science, and entertainment. You can help us spread this crucial message here: 👉 Donate: https://unchainedtv.com/donate/

Zoe Rosenberg Chicken Rescue Trial: Week 2, Day 5 – Jury Still Not Seated as Judge Warns Trial May Stretch Into Late October

As Week 2 of the landmark trial against animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg begins its fifth day, the Sonoma County, California courtroom remains deep in the jury selection process — with no jury yet seated. Judge Kenneth Gnoss addressed the potential panel, cautioning that the trial could last 6 weeks, and acknowledged the significant hardship this imposes. Over 80 jurors were questioned both Thursday and Friday, with a large percentage claiming hardship, underscoring just how difficult seating a jury is proving to be.

Rosenberg, a Direct Action Everywhere animal cruelty investigator, affirms she took 4 chickens from a truck at Petaluma Poultry's slaughterhouse, calling it a rescue of sick and suffering birds undertaken after repeated calls for law enforcement to investigate evidence of animal cruelty were ignored.

A pivotal series of pre-trial evidentiary rulings last week could heavily shape the outcome. Most notably, Judge Gnoss ruled that the defense is prohibited from introducing any of Direct Action Everywhere's animal cruelty investigations prior to May and June of 2023, stating that it would be "unduly confusing" for the jury, except for the rescue of Rose. Rose was the single chicken law enforcement allowed to be rescued from a massive Direct Action Everywhere open rescue action in 2018, a chicken Zoe cared for and who has become a symbol of the open rescue movement and the namesake of Rose's law, a proposed bill of rights for animals.

The court also rejected testimony from a proposed witness who would have detailed unsuccessful attempts to involve law enforcement in addressing animal cruelty allegations. Defense attorney Chris Carraway objected on the grounds of Rosenberg's right to present a legal defense, to which Judge Gnoss dryly replied, "I note your continuing objection to the entire trial."

Meanwhile, the prosecution lost on some key points. They are barred from referencing Measure J (a proposal to phase out animal factory farms that was defeated by voters in Sonoma County, where the trial is taking place) or the DxE investigation manual during their case-in-chief — though these may be brought up if Rosenberg takes the stand and her testimony opens the door.

Despite legal friction on both sides, a witness order was finally agreed upon: alleged Co-conspirator Raven Deerbrook, vet tech Carla Cabral, veterinarians Dr. Sherstin Rosenberg (who is also Zoe's mother) and Dr. Daniela Castillo.

According to the criminal complaint, Rosenberg allegedly entered Petaluma Poultry four times and rescued the 4 chickens on one visit. As part of the conspiracy charge, it is alleged GPS trackers were placed on 12 farm delivery vehicles. Supporters from Direct Action Everywhere insist these actions were driven by moral urgency and supported by legal rights under California's rescue and animal cruelty laws.

The company involved has denied all allegations of animal cruelty and has called Direct Action Everywhere an extremist group with a radical agenda to end animal agriculture. The company is invited on any time to comment further.

The trial is already shaping up to be a defining moment for open rescue, constitutional rights, and how far activists can go to expose alleged cruelty in factory farms. Now, UnchainedTV's Jane Velez-Mitchell discusses the case with an expert panel and reporter Johnny Mora LIVE at the courthouse.

The long-anticipated trial of animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg is finally starting in Sonoma County, California, and UnchainedTV is the only news organization providing live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of this historic criminal case. With the potential to reshape how animal rescues are viewed under the law, this case has galvanized activists, legal scholars, and the general public alike. And now, all eyes are on the courtroom. At the heart of the case are 4 rescued chickens named Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea.

Zoe Rosenberg, an animal cruelty investigator affiliated with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), faces one felony conspiracy charge and three misdemeanors, including two counts of trespass and one count of vehicle tampering. The charges stem from a 2023 open rescue in which Rosenberg removed those four chickens - whom she said were very sick and suffering - from Petaluma Poultry, a Perdue-owned factory farm in Northern California. She and her legal team argue the rescue was a direct response to ongoing, unaddressed, systemic animal cruelty she says violate animal cruelty laws. The case has gotten coverage in the New York Times, which reported, "Ms. Rosenberg, 23, says that she found chickens at Petaluma Poultry covered in scratches and bruises, including some with high fevers and serious infections. There was also evidence, she said, that birds were being scalded alive, instead of killed before boiling, because the slaughter lines were moving too quickly." The company denies those allegations and has called DXE an "extreme group" with a "radical agenda." UnchainedTV invites the Perdue and Petaluma Poultry on to respond further at any time.

UnchainedTV's Jane Velez-Mitchell will anchor live coverage from the network's studio, with reporter Johnny Mora at the courthouse, plus a panel of attorneys and experts who will provide real-time commentary and context as the proceedings unfold. Among the expert commentators are Shaka Smith, a respected attorney and legal analyst; Christina Ku, known for her work in animal law; and Justine Block, who brings a sharp lens to matters of civil disobedience and justice. Adding a powerful emotional and ethical perspective is Renee King-Sonnen, a former cattle rancher who transformed her property into a sanctuary for farmed animals, plus former law enforcement investigator Tiffany Brunelli. Their combined expertise will ensure UnchainedTV viewers understand every critical development, motion, and courtroom twist. Could this case set a legal precedent for future animal rescues? Just one of the questions swirling around the trial.

Adding to the drama is Rosenberg's recent hospitalization related to her lifelong struggle with Type 1 diabetes. As day one of the trial begins today, questions remain about whether she will be well enough to appear in court. Still, her legal team is expected to move forward vigorously.

Rosenberg's legal team, which includes Chris Carraway of the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project and California-based attorney Kevin Little, is expected to mount a defense rooted in Rosenberg's belief that her actions were both necessary and legal. As legal arguments unfold, broader questions emerge: Can factory farming practices be put on trial through the actions of a single rescuer? Will the public and jury see Rosenberg as a criminal—or a heroic whistleblower?

With emotional stakes running high, passionate support from fellow activists, and legal arguments that could ripple far beyond this one case, the trial of Zoe Rosenberg is shaping up to be a landmark moment in the animal rights movement. And thanks to UnchainedTV's team-led coverage, audiences around the world can witness history in the making.

💡 DONATION INFO & UNCHAINEDTV LINKS Thank you for watching! UnchainedTV is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our vision is a world where plant‑based, cruelty‑free, sustainable living is the norm—across food, fashion, science, and entertainment. You can help us spread this crucial message here: 👉 Donate: https://unchainedtv.com/donate/

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The time has come! Please sign this petition: https://bit.ly/Stopfireworks

In California alone, 10 people died around the July 4th, 2025 holiday, including a tragic blast in Buena Park that killed an eight-year-old girl and the catastrophic warehouse explosion in Northern California that claimed seven lives. A Simi Valley man also died and a house caught on fire when fireworks exploded. A man was also killed in Pacoima when fireworks exploded, sparking a fire. Others were injured. -Fireworks can release clouds of toxic metals and particles.

-The bright flashes and concussive booms drive animals to abandon nests and habitats.

-At Marina del Rey, over 100 pelicans disappeared overnight after the sanctioned July 4th fireworks. Egrets, cormorants, and seals also vanished from the area. All have been slow to return. "Fireworks traumatize and displace wildlife. They are neither harmless nor fleeting," The New York Times (NYT).

-More pets go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year (RSPCA).

- Dogs and cats perceive these sounds as life-threatening. Heart attacks, injuries, escape attempts, and days of anxiety are common.

- For veterans of war and survivors of violence, fireworks are more than loud—they are unwanted re-enactments of trauma.

Now, let's hear from some leaders in the growing movement to transition to safe, fun, modern drone and light shows. Ann Cantrell, Co-Chair of the Sierra Club Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force, Marcia Hanscom of Defend Ballona Wetlands, biologist Roy Van de Hoek, as well as attorneys Natalie Marcin, Christina Ku and Susanne Cumming, and UnchainedTV host Jane Velez-Mitchell.

💡 DONATION INFO & UNCHAINEDTV LINKS Thank you for watching! UnchainedTV is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our vision is a world where plant‑based, cruelty‑free, sustainable living is the norm—across food, fashion, science, and entertainment. You can help us spread this crucial message here:

👉 Donate: https://unchainedtv.com/donate/

Links: 🎥 WATCH for FREE: https://unchained.tv

✅ LEARN MORE: https://unchainedtv.com

📘 Facebook: janevelezmitchell

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🐦 Twitter: jvm

In a dramatic press conference held in Washington, D.C., outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, PETA raises the alarm on a shocking and largely hidden public health threat: the importation of tuberculosis (TB)-infected monkeys into the United States for use in laboratory experiments. This eye-opening event features crates of shrieking "monkeys" and humans in hazmat suits to highlight the grave biosecurity risk involved—one that has remained dangerously under the radar for far too long.

PETA's new investigation alleges that monkeys imported from Asia and Africa have been quietly bringing TB into U.S. research labs for years, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doing little to stop it. PETA says, from 2021 to 2024, 69 cases were detected while the monkeys were in quarantine, with another 16 after the monkeys were sent to laboratories. However, PETA says the CDC tested only 107 animals—an alarmingly small sample from the nearly 100,000 monkeys imported during this time period.

Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, a former primate researcher and PETA's Senior Science Advisor for Primate Experimentation, calls the situation a ticking time bomb. She condemns the CDC's lack of oversight and alleges that the agency has ignored repeated warnings about the risks. According to PETA, the CDC relies on voluntary data from importers, allowing infected monkeys to slip through the cracks and enter high-security laboratory environments—putting both humans and animals at risk.

PETA says this biosecurity crisis is revealed in a report by the CDC itself, which PETA says confirms that TB-positive monkeys have been imported into the U.S., posing a serious threat to public health and safety.

PETA's urgent call to action is: end the importation of monkeys into the United States immediately. The organization highlights not only the public health implications but also the moral and scientific flaws in continuing to use primates in research. In the face of preventable zoonotic disease transmission and outdated animal testing models, PETA urges a transition toward modern, humane, and science-driven alternatives.

Now, we will get the latest from Dr. Jones-Engel herself, as PETA confronts government inaction and demands immediate policy reform to safeguard lives—both human and nonhuman. Read PETA's full report here: https://shorturl.at/o7mMi Watch the entire news conference here: https://watch.unchainedtv.com/peta/videos/peta-news-conf-tb-in-monkeys

Plus, we get the very latest on the battle to stop a massive laboratory monkey breeding facility in Bainbridge, Georgia. Award-winning filmmaker Thomas Wade Jackson—who is currently producing a documentary about this very battle—shares exclusive insights into the growing resistance. We also hear from a passionate local leader at the forefront of this grassroots movement.

This episode of Truth Files with Jane Velez-Mitchell brings you breaking developments you won't see anywhere else.

💡 DONATION INFO & UNCHAINEDTV LINKS Thank you for watching! UnchainedTV is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our vision is a world where plant‑based, cruelty‑free, sustainable living is the norm—across food, fashion, science, and entertainment. You can help us spread this crucial message here: 👉 Donate: https://unchainedtv.com/donate/

What You'll Discover In this exciting episode of Truth Files with Jane Velez-Mitchell, live from UnchainedTV headquarters, we unveil The Good Card—Los Angeles' first eco-minded loyalty program that's revolutionizing how consumers shop, save, and support compassionate businesses. Founder Jill Ettinger shares how this simple, smartphone-integrated loyalty card gives shoppers instant access to discounts at sustainable businesses like Yoga-urt, a plant-based soft serve ice cream shop with four LA locations, and Pura Vita, a West Hollywood favorite featuring authentic Italian cuisine that's also 100% plant-based.

Half of all Americans already use loyalty programs, and 84% say they're more likely to shop somewhere that offers one. The Good Card takes that idea to the next level—bridging plant-based values, sustainability, and convenience all in one. Along with rewards and discounts, The Good Card features members-only events that build community and are just plain fun.

Join the Adventure Whether you're an LA local or just plant-curious, this episode will show you how using The Good Card builds a more compassionate economy. Andrea Castillo, owner of the Yoga-urt Granada Hills franchise, sees the program as a "nudge" that keeps customers coming back—and draws new ones in. From neighborhood plant-based restaurants to zero-waste grocers, The Good Card is building community and reducing shopping stress one swipe at a time.

✨ Even better? The Good Card is expanding to New York City and other cities nationwide. If you're an ethical, plant-forward, sustainable business—The Good Card wants to hear from you!

✅ It's fast and easy to sign up—just visit TheGoodCard.co

Add the card to your smartphone wallet.

💡 DONATION INFO & UNCHAINEDTV LINKS Thank you for watching! UnchainedTV is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our vision is a world where plant‑based, cruelty‑free, sustainable living is the norm—across food, fashion, science, and entertainment. You can help us spread this crucial message here: 👉 Donate: https://unchainedtv.com/donate/

Why are The Documentary Channel and UnchainedTV joining forces? On this episode of Truth Files, Jane Velez-Mitchell welcomes Tom Neff, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and co-founder of the Documentary Channel. Together, they unveil a game-changing strategic partnership that brings UnchainedTV's most powerful films—including Countdown to Year Zero and Ending Real Fur—to a broader audience through the Documentary Channel.

"This is a crisis. Where do these filmmakers go?" – Tom Neff

Join the Adventure

Discover how this partnership empowers indie filmmakers, supports social justice storytelling, and provides viewers with affordable, ad-free access to impactful content. With over 165 films and more being added, the Documentary Channel offers curated, high-quality documentaries you won't find on mainstream streamers.

There's a limited time massive deal being offered by the Documentary Channel as of August, 2025, a $1.99 yearly subscription with a lifetime discount for subsequent years, making those who join at this rate founding members.

🎥 Stream truth now at: https://documentarychannel.com 🎬 Learn more about UnchainedTV at: https://unchained.tv

"Documentaries can change the world."

– Tom Neff, Co-Founder, The Documentary Channel

Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, TV producer and NY Times bestselling author who founded UnchainedTV, the world's premier plant-based streaming network. UnchainedTV offers 2,000 free documentaries, cooking shows, lifestyle and news programs. Download UnchainedTV free on mobile or TV streaming devices like Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Watch online: https://watch.unchainedtv.com/browse

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Hashtags: #DocumentaryChannel #UnchainedTV #TruthFiles

A bold new challenge has been issued to Buddhist temples across the United States: go vegan. Dharma Voices for Animals—the world's only global Buddhist animal advocacy group—is calling on American centers to align more fully with the Buddha's First Precept: cause no harm. The organization offers practical tools and compassionate guidance to help temples transition to a plant-based model grounded in spiritual integrity.

What You'll Discover In this episode of Truth Files with Jane Velez-Mitchell, Dharma Voices for Animals leaders Andrea Diaz and Forrest Tierce explain why this challenge is both ethically necessary and spiritually consistent with Buddhist teachings. Drawing on their global advocacy—from Sri Lanka to Thailand to U.S. centers—they show how diet, Dharma, and the planet are all interconnected.

Join the Adventure If you're part of a Buddhist temple, consider answering the call. DVA provides education, health seminars, and full support for transitioning to plant-based meals. Visit: https://www.dharmavoicesforanimals.org Watch Animals and the Buddha streaming now on UnchainedTV.

Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, TV producer, and NY Times bestselling author who founded UnchainedTV, the world's premier plant-based streaming network. UnchainedTV offers 2,000+ free documentaries, cooking shows, lifestyle and news programs. Download UnchainedTV free on mobile or streaming devices like Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Watch online: https://watch.unchainedtv.com/browse

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#PlantBasedDharma #BuddhistCompassion #VeganBuddhism

Little Red Barns is a book that needs to be read by every journalist, influencer, politician, CEO and consumer. Investigative journalist Will Potter spent years going from "factory farms to international climate summits, from Congressional hearings to neo-Nazi fascist groups" to expose the ugly, hideously cruel, environmentally devastating truth about animal agriculture. The book shatters the quaint fantasy of happy animals frolicking in Little Red Barns that so many cling to in order to avoid changing their eating habits.

Get the book NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Red-Barns-Hiding-Truth/dp/0872869148

Says the Washington Post, "The book is a lucid indictment of a food system whose normalization of cruelty on a staggering scale is rivaled only by the tightly controlled, government-sanctioned regime of non-transparency that enables it." And, it's sustained by a "decades-long campaign by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Congress and their corporate-ag sponsors to consolidate production and squeeze out small farmers…"

Will Potter is an award-winning investigative journalist and author, and a leading international voice challenging attacks on civil liberties in the name of fighting "terrorism." Will was the first investigative journalist to be named a TED Senior Fellow, and has addressed governmental bodies including the U.S. Congress, Australian Parliament, and Council of Europe. He is the author of Green Is the New Red, which exposed the FBI's targeting of environmentalists as "terrorists." His new book, Little Red Barns: Hiding the truth from farm to fable, is a 10-year investigation of factory farms and fascism. UnchainedTV's Jane Velez-Mitchell is thrilled to speak to this heroic journalist.

Jane's Bio:

Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, TV producer and NY Times bestselling author who founded UnchainedTV, the world's premier plant-based streaming network. UnchainedTV offers 2,000 free documentaries, cooking shows, lifestyle and news programs. Download UnchainedTV free on mobile or TV streaming devices like Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Watch online: http://unchained.tv

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Hashtags: #LittleRedBarns #CAFO #FactoryFarming #AnimalAgriculture #UnchainedTV #ILoveAnimals

In this powerful episode, you'll hear how endangered long-tailed macaques are caught in a heartbreaking limbo. PETA is calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action—and you can help right now by clicking here to urge US government officials to stop this tragedy: 👉 https://peta.org/CHARLESRIVER

PETA is asking the Attorney General to investigate alarming reports that "the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) may deliver more than 1,200 endangered long-tailed macaques to a controversial animal testing company even though, they contend, these animals were allegedly imported illegally."

"Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, Senior Science Advisor at PETA, explains why these monkeys deserve the chance to heal in reputable sanctuaries — not to be sent back to the same system that profits from the suffering of monkeys."

What You'll Discover:

• How these sensitive primates were "allegedly torn from their forest homes, trafficked across continents, and are now trapped in heartbreaking limbo."

• Why over 76,000 PETA supporters are urging the government to act.

• What you can do right now to stand up for the monkeys' freedom.

"Dr. Jones-Engel calls for the immediate release of every one of these monkeys, emphasizing that they belong in the wild or in environments where their social bonds, natural behaviors, and well-being are finally respected."

🎧 Join the movement and share this episode to help protect these animals from exploitation.

Jane's Bio:

Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, TV producer and NY Times bestselling author who founded UnchainedTV, the world's premier plant-based streaming network. UnchainedTV offers 2,000 free documentaries, cooking shows, lifestyle and news programs. Download UnchainedTV free on mobile or TV streaming devices like Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Watch online: https://watch.unchainedtv.com/browse

🎥 WATCH for Free @ UNCHAINEDTV.COM ✅ SUBSCRIBE to our channel! / @UNCHAINEDTV 📘 Facebook / janevelezmitchell 📸 Instagram / unchained_tv 🐦 X / Twitter / jvm

Hashtags: #EndAnimalTesting #SaveTheMonkeys #PETA