Protests Begin at Perdue Farms Over Animal Welfare Concerns

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Protests began Tuesday at Perdue Farms’ corporate headquarters, with demonstrators decrying alleged animal abuse practices and health concerns tied to a Perdue subsidiary in Northern California. The protests are expected to last for five days, featuring members of the group Direct Action Everywhere (DXE).

Around noon, three protesters gathered outside the headquarters displaying a sign portraying Perdue CEO Kevin McAdams, captioned “I Torture Chickens.” Despite their presence, they were significantly outnumbered by law enforcement and private security personnel tasked with ensuring order.

DXE lead Curtis Vollmar articulated the group’s mission, emphasizing its goal of ending all animal agriculture, stating, “Our group has been investigating slaughterhouses and factory farms in Northern California for the better part of a decade.” He added that their investigation revealed troubling practices at Perdue.

Perdue’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Andrea Staub, refuted the allegations, asserting, “Every single year for the past ten years, we invite animal welfare organizations, farmers, customers, and academia to come right here to Delmarva to understand what we’re doing in terms of animal welfare.”

In previous protests, DXE has employed various tactics, including entering private properties and removing chickens. However, Vollmar assured that the current protests will remain peaceful, declaring, “Our group is completely nonviolent. We 100% strive for a nonviolent world.”

A nearby resident, who requested anonymity, expressed concerns regarding the protest, preferring to keep demonstrators off his property. He stated that he appreciates Perdue as a good neighbor.

In anticipation of the protests, Perdue has implemented significant security measures, including erecting temporary fencing around its main facilities and designating a “First Amendment Zone” across from the headquarters for protest activities. Staub explained, “We wanted to ensure that our associates remain safe and the community remains safe. So when you see the fencing, it really was done out of an abundance of caution.”

DXE plans to continue their demonstrations throughout the week in Wicomico County, aiming to raise awareness about their concerns.