67 protesters arrested after storming Petaluma poultry plant

Direct Action Everywhere protesters marched along The Embarcadero from the Ferry Building on Sunday, May 28 2017, in San Francisco, CA. Direct Action Everywhere protesters marched along The Embarcadero from the Ferry Building on Sunday, May 28 2017, in San Francisco, CA. Photo: Paul Kuroda / Special To The Chronicle Photo: Paul Kuroda / Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close 67 protesters arrested after storming Petaluma poultry plant 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Sixty-seven animal rights protesters were arrested Saturday after they stormed a poultry plant in Petaluma and snatched chickens, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to multiple 911 calls from McCoy Poultry Services, on the 100 block of Jewett Road in Petaluma, at about 1:30 p.m. and ran into about 200 animal rights protesters conducting what they called “a coordinated protest” inside and outside the business.

The protesters, part of animal rights activist group Direct Action Everywhere , said on their Facebook page that they were rescuing animals that were sick or injured, and said that the business provides chickens to Amazon.

“Birds were found there that were dead or dying,” the group said. “One had a broken leg.”

When deputies entered the McCoy buildings, they found about 70 activists wearing white protective outfits, “many carrying chickens they had stolen from within buildings on the property,” the sheriff’s office said.

According to deputies, the business owner and an employee were assaulted by a protester.

Forty deputies were sent to the scene along with the sheriff’s helicopter. Animal control officers were summoned to take possession of the chickens that were stolen, the sheriff’s office said.

The office also reported that it took four hours to arrest the protesters and take them to the Sonoma County Jail, where they were booked on misdemeanor trespassing and felony burglary and conspiracy charges. One protester also was arrested for assaulting the owner and employee.

Matt Johnson, a Direct Action Everywhere spokesman, said the felony charges were uncalled for, defended the group’s actions as a legal protection of animals under state animal cruelty laws and said no assault had taken place.

“That’s not the way we act,” he said. “We train extensively in nonviolent protest in the spirit of Gandhi.”

McCoy Poultry Services did not respond to requests for comment.

Direct Action Everywhere is known for attention-getting protests. One activist recently covered herself in feces outside of a Trader Joe’s. The group has also protested at Chez Panisse, the Alameda County Fair and a Berkeley butcher shop.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan