As I’ve written about previously, activists with animal rights extremist group Direct Action Everywhere (DXE) are finally facing legal consequences for their actions over the past several years. Last month, co-founder Wayne Hsiung was convicted of two felony charges for stealing a goat in 2018, and many of us in animal agriculture were hopeful for similar outcomes in other trials that are either ongoing or set to begin.

One of the most anticipated trials was scheduled to begin in Iowa last week, as DXE activist and “press coordinator” Matt Johnson faced charges stemming from various actions targeting Iowa Select Farms (trespassing, placing recording devices, theft of a piglet) during the spring of 2020. In a recent podcast, Johnson outlined his intended defense strategy for the trial, which included invoking a “necessity defense” (claiming that he was justified in breaking the law to prevent a greater evil from happening).

Right before the trial was set to begin, a judge granted the prosecutor’s motion to dismiss all charges. The reasons for the dismissal are still unclear. Iowa Select Farms responded by thanking local law enforcement for their “commitment to upholding the law and protecting all county residents” and noting that “even though the case was dismissed, the fact an individual criminally trespassed on Iowa Select property does not change.” DXE has, of course, proclaimed this as a victory, claiming that “international media outlets had requested coverage and people from around the country were planning to attend the trial to support the right to rescue” and stating that they “are now using this victory as an opportunity to keep fighting ag-gag laws and defending the right to rescue.”

While the trial is not happening, DXE has still proceeded with plans to assemble in Iowa as about 15 activists have traveled there. While they had initially planned to focus on “supporting” Johnson during the trial, they have now shifted focus to holding various protests and disruptions, including a demonstration outside of the county prosecutor’s office; disrupting an Iowa state senator (who is also a hog farmer) at an issues forum and protesting in various locations in Iowa Falls (where Iowa Select Farms has a strong presence). How long they intend to stay in the area is unknown, but farms and other facilities should remain on high alert.

DXE recently announced that it would be holding various similar “convergences” around the country in place of its annual Animal Liberation Conference, usually held in the Bay Area in late May. In 2022, the group will instead hold smaller conferences during trials, which they anticipate will be held in California, Wisconsin and Utah throughout 2022.

It remains to be seen what long-term repercussions the dismissal of the charges in Iowa might have. Activists like Johnson seem desperate for the chance to take their cause for “animal liberation” to court, so similar “investigations” of farms and others in the animal agriculture community are likely to occur soon.

Charges dropped against DXE activist, group still “converges” in Iowa

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