Animal Activist Storms NFL Field, Gets Leveled by Rams' Bobby Wagner

By Haider Ali in Sports On 5th October 2022
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During Monday night's game versus the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Los Angeles Rams star Bobby Wagner put an end to any comments anyone was attempting to make.

In the second quarter, a man running across the field while holding a pink flare was spotted. He avoided a few security officers before running toward the Rams' sideline. Wagner then grabbed him and put him on his back. Wagner also received aid from Takkarist McKinley.

Security then tackled the demonstrator.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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As the activist group started to retweet videos from the incident, Direct Action Everywhere seemed to assume control of the protest. One commenter claimed that the demonstration was meant to draw attention to the Smithfield trial, which got underway earlier on Monday.

Allison Fluty and Alex Taylor, both from the Bay Area, were named as two activists. Taylor seemed to have been the one being tackled. They had shirts that read "RightToRescue.com" on them. According to the organization, Fluty and Taylor were both cited.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Nearly a month prior to Fluty and Taylor's protest, two other members of Direct Action Everywhere were seen doing the same thing during the Rams' season debut against the Buffalo Bills.

After the game, Wagner said he was only trying to aid security.

"That's not making a play. That's just keeping it safe. You don't know what that fan got or what they're doing. You see it all the time, and we don't know what they're carrying in their pockets. It's whatever that little smoke stuff is, but that s--- could be dangerous," Wagner said, via ESPN.

"One of the guys on the other side, it looked like he got hurt, and security looked like he was struggling, so I was frustrated, so I took it out on him."

Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers coach, remarked that it was "cool to see" Wagner make the tackle.

Two of Direct Action Everywhere's investigators, Paul Darwin Picklesimer and Wayne Hsiung, were charged with many charges for reportedly "rescuing" piglets from Circle Four Farms, which is run by Smithfield Foods, according to a news release. The incident took place in 2017.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that five activists were charged in connection with the event. Picklesimer and Hsiung were charged with two third-degree felonies of burglary and a Class B felony count of theft while the other three entered plea agreements.

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"Smithfield will do anything to shield its abuses and protect its profits," Taylor said in a news release. "We must take action to stop the violence and create a better future for us all."

The protests that occurred earlier this year during Minnesota Timberwolves games were also organized by Direct Action Everywhere.