Hi John!
We wanted to share an exciting update with you in case you missed it: a new op-ed in The Los Angeles Times spotlights the NhRP’s fight for elephant rights in California—potentially reaching millions of people with a message about the importance of nonhuman animal rights.
In the op-ed, NYU Professor Jeff Sebo argues that existing animal welfare protections simply don’t go far enough to protect elephants from suffering. He calls on the California Supreme Court to recognize elephants’ right to bodily liberty: |
“Why is it necessary to recognize elephant rights? Why not simply rely on existing welfare protections to prevent cruelty? When elephants are seen as lacking rights, we can protect them as ‘property’ or as a matter of public interest. But such protections leave elephants vulnerable when their ‘owners’ and the public are insufficiently concerned about them. By recognizing elephant rights, we can safeguard against abuse and neglect even when welfare protections are inadequate.”
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Jeff Sebo is one of many experts who filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in our case to free the three elephants currently held captive in the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Some of the other experts include influential animal rights philosopher Peter Singer, twenty-three law professors from across the US and Canada, two attorneys who worked tirelessly through litigation to win marriage equality for same-sex couples, and a judge on South Africa’s highest court who helped end apartheid-era law.
We’re grateful for Professor Sebo’s support, for the mainstream coverage of this case, and for all the experts who filed amicus briefs in support of the Fresno elephants’ right to liberty. Visit the elephants’ court case timeline to read the letters and see where our amicus support stands today.
Most of all, we’re grateful for you and for everyone who believes in our mission. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to expand our work to new states and reach wider audiences to advocate for justice for nonhuman animals. From all of us at NhRP, thank you for being on our clients’ side! Lauren Choplin Communications Director, the NhRP |
