Militant vegans are charged over breaking into farms and stealing animals – as one activist reveals she has been bombarded with DEATH THREATS
- Six militant vegans have been charged with trespass and burglary offences
- The charges relate to several break ins at West Australian farms over six months
- It comes after two activists were fined thousands for trespassing at a piggery
- Another activist said she received death threats over the raid on a farm in QLD
Four women and two men have been charged with trespass and burglary offences stemming from alleged break-ins at several West Australian farms over a six-month period.
Police say the crimes happened between August 2018 and February this year at properties in Nambeelup, Hopeland, West Pinjarra, Benger and Mundijong.
A cow and dead pig were stolen in separate incidents in Pinjarra and Benger, but the cow was returned to its owners in good health.
Four women and two men have been charged with trespass and burglary offences at several West Australian farms over six months
A woman, aged 36, also harboured a cow at a Waroona sanctuary but police said she was not a member of an activist group.
The activists, who range in age from 21 to 36, are scheduled to appear in Mandurah Magistrates Court on April 30.
Two vegan activists James Warden, 25, and Katrina Sobianina, 24 from Direct Action Everywhere, who trespassed at a piggery and live-streamed it on social media, were last month fined $7,000 and $3,000 respectively.
Two vegan activists James Warden, 25, (pictured) and Katrina Sobianina, 24 who trespassed at a piggery were last month fined a total of $10,000
WA Police Commander Allan Adams said people had a right to protest as long as it was lawful and did not impede the rights of people conducting their business.
Anyone confronted by protesters has been told to call police, and record the activists and their vehicle registrations.
‘Maintain composure. Undoubtedly people trespassing onto your land is concerning,’ Cmd Adams said on Friday.
‘But we’ve been very clear with industry and industry have been very receptive about the ‘calm the farm’ message.’
Commander Allan Adams said people had a right to protest as long as it was lawful and did not impede the rights of people conducting their business
It comes as another vegan activist Marilyn Orr, 64, said she had received death threats after she and 100 other people trespassed a piggery in Beerburrum, Queensland.
Mrs Orr claims she was identified through footage the protesters posted online when they raided the farm on December 1 late last year, according to the Sunshine Daily Coast.
She pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering farm land at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday where the threats to her safety were revealed.
Marilyn Orr claims she was identified through footage the protesters posted online when they raided the farm on December 1 late last year
The court heart how Ms Orr suffered from the death threats after husband’s phone number was posted online.
Mr Orr’s lawyer said she never touched suckling piglets and said she had never been charged with a previous offence.
Magistrate Andrew Walker said she should have used her experience to set an example to others to protest within the law.
He added he was only focused on the actions of Mrs Orr and the media controversy around the recent vegan activism would not factor in to his decision.
Mrs Orr was placed on a $600 good behaviour bond for a period of six months.
Magistrate Andrew Walker said she should have used her experience to set an example to others to protest within the law