The animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) and co-founder Wayne Hsiung, along with dozens of unnamed individuals and affiliates, are forbidden from stepping on Whole Foods property at Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. Seeking to preempt a week of protests, on September 21, the Alameda County Superior Court granted a restraining order requested by Whole Foods Market California Inc. seeking to stop protests against the company. Whole Foods had sought to ban protests on its property throughout the entire state.

Multiple undercover investigations of Whole Foods suppliers have exposed what activists call criminal animal cruelty at farms that include Diestel Turkey Ranch, Pitman Family Farms (Mary’s Free Range Chicken) and Petaluma Farms. Dozens of people have been arrested at resulting Northern California protests. Internal memos from Whole Foods that were secretly passed to DxE by whistleblowers, as well as personal correspondence with Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, demonstrate the company’s intolerance to criticism. Whole Food’s acquisition by Amazon, DxE activists say, has led to a new strategy: crushing activists through litigation.

Despite the court ruling, "Occupy Whole Foods" is proceeding as planned during the week of September 23-29, with a protest presence on the public sidewalk just beyond Berkeley Whole Foods' property. A mass action is planned for this Saturday, September 29. [UPDATE 9/30: 58 Arrested on Felony Charges as Activists Occupy "Free Range" Amazon Chicken Supplier.]

Read More | Event Announcements Sept 23-29 | Pack the Courtroom for Whole Foods Suit! (Oct 23)

Related Features: Four Activists Arraigned on Seven Felony Charges Each After Mass Arrest at Chicken Farm | Petaluma Whole Foods Factory Farm Defended by Riot Police | Hundreds Rally in Effort to Save Chickens from Sunrise Farms