Taking on Smithfield in Court… and Winning — Paul Darwin Picklesimer, Almira Tanner, and Curtis Vollmar

It’s still a little hard to believe. But on October 8, just a few days ago, a jury in southern Utah found me not guilty on all charges. The next few podcasts will discuss the trial, and its aftermath. But this first episode will focus on what came before: the incredible mobilization of people across the nation and world to fight with us against Smithfield, and for the right to rescue. Almira Tanner is lead organizer of the grassroots animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). She was the one, behind the scenes, ensuring all the trains ran on time – from the disruption of an NFL game on Monday Night Football to managing the theater in St. George where supporters gathered to watch the trial. Curtis Vollmar is the grassroots lead for Compassionate Bay, a 501(c)(4) organization that has pushed some of the most groundbreaking legislation in animal rights history, including a nearly-successful effort to impose a moratorium on new factory farms. Curtis was the activist who, in July 2022, was charged with disorderly conduct for merely leafleting in Beaver County, Utah regarding the Smithfield trial. His case, and the death threats against animal rights activists, were the basis for our successful effort to move the Smithfield trial from Beaver to Washington County. Finally, Paul Darwin Picklesimer was my co-defendant in the Smithfield trial, and a lead investigator in the DxE Open Rescue Network. Among other things, Paul is also responsible for the design aesthetic of DxE. You’ll hear all the work these folks did behind the scenes to make sure that the story of the Smithfield trial reached, not just the mainstream media, but became a powerful narrative in communities across the nation. How did we do it? What were the impacts? What were our mistakes? You’ll hear it all on this episode – and also how you played a crucial role, too. Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)