Photo of Joaquin Phoenix from the film Liberty, directed by Shaun Monson
Update 1/28/26:
According to reports, Manning Land Company, the seller of Manning Beef, has filed for bankruptcy, which led to the cancellation of the sheriff’s auction of the Manning Beef slaughterhouse today. A clerk read a prepared statement announcing that the event would not proceed and that no further sales would take place until February 4th.
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Animal activists plan to gather tomorrow at the sheriff’s auction of Manning Beef slaughterhouse in Los Angeles, California, to send a clear message to prospective buyers: the city opposes reopening the facility for the slaughter of cows. The demonstration comes as the City of Pico Rivera considers purchasing the property, a move that would ensure it never returns to slaughter operations again.
Organizers from Animal Outlook, LA Animal Save, Animal Alliance Network, and Direct Action Everywhere will be joined by local animal advocates and community members opposed to industrial animal agriculture in Los Angeles. Actor and animal advocate Joaquin Phoenix has publicly urged city leaders to transform the site into affordable housing, green space, or a plant-based food hub.
When & Where:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 9:15AM
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N. Hill Street, Room 125B
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Manning Beef, a Pico Rivera slaughterhouse operating since the 1950s, is now in bankruptcy proceedings after years of advocacy and scrutiny, including investigations by Animal Outlook. Its closure presents a historic chance to end cow slaughter in Los Angeles County. With the property set for sheriff’s auction on January 28, advocates are mobilizing to show public opposition to any buyer who would resume slaughter operations.
The City of Pico Rivera has described this as a “rare opportunity” to reimagine the industrial site as affordable housing, a community park, or a sustainable business providing future-focused jobs.
In 2020, Joaquin Phoenix helped rescue two cows—Liberty and Indigo—from Manning Beef moments before slaughter. They now live peacefully at Farm Sanctuary. Phoenix recently issued a statement supporting the city’s vision and calling for the property to become “a beacon of life and hope” rather than returning to slaughter operations.
