Animal activist Charlize Reynierse reveals midnight crimes inspired by documentary
After being confronted by a journalist outside court, a university honours student who invaded a Sydney turkey farm in a bushfire-ravaged town, has revealed the inspiration behind her crimes. SEE THE VIDEO.
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A 23-year-old university student who spent a night behind bars after invading a turkey farm in a bushfire-ravaged town has stood by her illegal behaviour, revealing the crimes were inspired by an animal rights documentary.
Charlize Reynierse, of Cranebrook, was arrested carrying out an “intelligence gathering” mission on a poultry farm at Bargo in Sydney’s southwest outskirts on January 8. Police found on the animal vet nurse a full-face balaclava, gloves, a digital camera and SD memory cards featuring more than 50 hours footage shot from the farm, which supplies turkeys to Ingham’s Poultry.
The farm owner and operator had just days earlier hired security to guard the farm at night after discovering a “peculiar” device in one of the turkey sheds. After being spotted, Reynierse attempted to flee from three security guards but was captured and later arrested.
After a night in the lockup, Reynierse pleaded guilty at Campbelltown Local Court to three charges the next day, including unlawfully enter enclosed agricultural lands to interfere with business, and was granted conditional bail. She has previously been convicted of two similar offences.
On Monday, the University of Sydney honours student said after watching the animal rights documentary Dominion, described as exposing the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture, she had no choice but to conduct the illegal mission.
“Watch Dominion to see why actions like mine are necessary to force transparency on an industry built on lies and secrecy,” she said.
When asked if trespassing on the farm was an appropriate way to share her animal rights message, Reynierse said “I think if you watched Dominion, that would answer your question”.
The 23-year-old will return to court on March 16 for sentencing after the matter was adjourned to allow her Legal Aid funding application to be processed.
Her nightly curfew was also adjusted to allow the university student to work overnight at a North Parramatta Vet practice.
Isabel Sleiman, also accused of trespassing on the Bargo farm on the same night, supported Reynierse at the court. She will return to Picton Local Court on March 11.