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The adults are expected to appear in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on Nov. 27, while the youth is scheduled for the same court Nov. 15.

In response to the charges, one of the protest’s backers said the wrong people were being targeted by authorities.

“Remember, the protesters aren’t being charged for lighting living animals on fire, kicking individual animals or forcing them to survive . . . with broken limbs and bleeding sores,” Trev Miller said in an email.

“These people are bringing attention to those injustices and bullied for their compassion.”

Miller said the farmers didn’t initially know who the activists were when they toured their barns.

The owners of the turkey farm insisted the animals are treated humanely and their actions on the day of the protest show they had nothing to hide.

Agricultural groups have expressed concerns about such protests and say they’re sharing advice about how to handle activists should they show up.

Shortly after the protest, Premier Jason Kenney announced the province was increasing trespassing fines to deter what he calls “anti-farming militants.”

The changes to the Petty Trespass Act would increase penalties to $10,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for a second offence, with repeat offenders facing up to six months in jail.

The province also toughened penalties for trespassers who accidentally transfer diseases or outside pathogens to livestock.

Kenney made the announcement during a stop at the Jumbo Valley Colony, saying “we don’t need people acting like vigilantes through trespass, intimidation and harassment.”

But Miller said the industry can expect more disruptions if they don’t dramatically shift their farming practises.

“It’s just going to escalate,” said Miller, who blamed the charges on Kenney’s announcement.

“We’re asking for them to transition to plant-centred agriculture and we’re not against farmers — you won’t see us at a carrot farm.”

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn