Alexandra Paul: from Baywatch to stealing chicken

In 2023, Alexandra Paul was facing misdemeanor petty theft charges alongside fellow activist Alicia Santurio. Why? They stole chickens from a Foster Farms truck outside a slaughterhouse in California in 2021.

In a Youtube video, Paul and Santurio are filmed grabbing the chickens from an idling Foster Farm semi-truck. They run, chickens squawking in their arms, to their getaway car. Meanwhile, another team of activists grabbed two birds from the conveyer belt.

Image: Direct Action Everywhere- DxE/ YouTube

The rescued chickens were sent to a sanctuary for care and peace, according to the activist organization Direct Action Everywhere. However, Paul said one of the chickens pulled from the truck died shortly after, despite receiving medical care, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Image: Direct Action Everywhere- DxE/ YouTube

The two women went on trial, and Paul testified in her own defense. “I knew it was a Foster Farms truck; they treated (the chickens) like garbage,” she told the jury, adding that she wouldn’t have given the sick chicken back to “someone who treated him so badly.”

Image: Court footage, Direct Action Everywhere

She told the jury she believed what she did was legal. “I saw open rescue as the best way to alleviate suffering,” she said, explaining how she saw footage where chickens in the slaughterhouse were boiled and buried alive. “I believe animal protection laws protect me.”

Image: Direct Action Everywhere- DxE / YouTube

Zuniga told the court that she has been extremely impressed by Paul, with whom she once worked. “She walked across the country for peace… she cares about people… blessed to have her in my life; I trust her; she’s a compassionate person.”

Image: Court footage, Direct Action Everywhere

The court ruled to acquit Paul of the misdemeanor theft charges, marking the second recent victory for activists kidnapping animals before going to slaughter. “This is how we shape history,” Paul said in the release, “by using our privileges to confront unjust industries that exploit animals.”

Image: Direct Action Everywhere- DxE / YouTube

It's a US nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for animal rights “until every animal is free.” Two of its activists were successfully acquitted a few months ago after taking piglets from a farm owned by Smithfield Foods in Utah.

Image: Direct Action Everywhere- DxE / YouTube

This New Yorker was born to a very liberal mom and a very conservative dad, and she has been a vegan since age 14. She began her career as a model before landing her first major acting gig in John Carpenter’s horror film ‘Christine.’ In the 80s, she also had prominent roles in ‘American Flyers’ and ‘Dragnet.’

Paul starred as Lt. Stephanie Holden in the popular TV series ‘Baywatch’ from 1992 to 1997. Her character was known for her toughness and bravery, which made her a fan favorite. Her co-star Pamela Anderson was also a vegan and became a big animal rights activist.

While she may not be as popular today as she was in the 90s, her career has been steady. Since 1999, she’s starred in 15 films for ‘Lifetime Network’ and also appeared on other hit shows like ‘Melrose Place,’ ‘Mad Men’ ‘Borat,’ and ‘Sharknado.' In total, she's acted on more than 70 projects.

The now 59-year-old also became a certified health coach and wellness professional in the past years. And her credentials are legit. Among her many feats, she raced the Hawaii Ironman, ran the Boston Marathon, and swum the 11-mile Fiji Swim and the 12.5-mile Swim Around Key West.

The actress is outspoken on animal rights, the environment, peace, and gay rights. In 1986, she walked for five and a half weeks across the US for Global Nuclear Disarmament. She also volunteered for nine years in Santa Monica in an organization that serves hot meals to homeless community members. In 2014, she was named vegan of the year, and she's also traveled the world for democracy.

Paul was arrested over a dozen times for civil disobedience at the Nevada Test Site; once in 1989 for advocating for people with HIV; and twice in 2003 for protesting the Iraq War, where she spent five days in custody after refusing to pay the fine to get out. She was also arrested in 2005 for protesting the end of the General Motors EV1 — an electric car made from 1996-1999.

That’s according to an article Alexandra’s sister Caroline wrote in the LA Times after their brother Jonathan Paul pled guilty to arson. Another animal rights activist, he served 51 months in prison for his role in the arson of the Cavel West Slaughterhouse. Caroline argued that he should not be considered a terrorist for trying to save animals.

Combining her Hollywood talents with her activist passions, Alexandra Paul has also produced two award-winning documentary films. One was on the world population crisis, and the other was called ‘The Cost of Cool: Finding Happiness in a Materialistic World.’

“I actually respect folks who stand up for their beliefs – even if I disagree with them- than the folks who do not care, are afraid to “get involved”, or who cannot be bothered,” she told First Order Historians. “I admire passion and commitment. A woman once told me she could not watch those slaughterhouse videos because she “loves animals so much” and it would upset her. I would prefer to hang out with a hunter who believes he is doing the right thing than a wuss like her.”