[link removed] [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
It was 2018, and a documentary about the Nonhuman Rights Project, Unlocking the Cage, had just been nominated for an Emmy. I’d ridden several hours on the Amtrak from DC to New York next to a woman about my age; I remember she was giving me the side eye as I chewed my carrots. Later, she asked me to watch her bags while she went to the bathroom. That evening, looking for my NhRP colleagues outside the venue, I bumped into my Amtrak friend, who apparently was there on behalf of CNN. “Hey, carrot girl!” she said, adding to the surreality of the moment for me–it felt strange and exciting to know that a documentary about animal rights and our first chimpanzee clients was receiving critical acclaim and being seen by people around the world.
I found my Ludster (our Litigation Director Elizabeth Stein), our founder and my mentor Steve, and Steve’s wife, and we headed in with the directors of the film and representatives from HBO. The moment Unlocking the Cage showed up on the big screen for its own nomination, I sparkled with pride for working at the NhRP.
And that was far from the first or last time I felt that way. Ten years into our litigation, with more animal rights court hearings beginning to take place and more judges beginning to reject animals’ thinghood and embrace the idea that they can be rights-holders, I feel this pride even more strongly today.
Right now, we have seven chimpanzee clients who are being held in captivity in a roadside zoo in Michigan. As the lead NhRP attorney for these clients I’m thrilled to be starting 2025 with a hearing in their important case, which has the support of Jane Goodall and other esteemed chimpanzee cognition and behavior experts. I’ll let you know as soon as we have a date for this hearing. Could you please take a moment to show your support for their freedom by signing this petition on their behalf? Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives and deserve freedom:
SIGN PETITION → [[link removed]]
As we prepare for what’s coming up in Michigan, I’m also working on a new habeas corpus petition on behalf of our first cetacean client. I feel optimistic this case has a real chance of winning, so I’m looking forward to telling you more about it as soon as we can.
Another priority of mine this year is speaking to more law students and law schools about our mission. This key aspect of our work energizes me and reminds me how far animal rights have come since I was a student.
Thank you for reading and taking action [[link removed]] to help chimpanzees who are suffering, John. Your continued support means a lot to me and to everyone at the NhRP. Nonhuman animals waiting for freedom are counting on us!
Monica Miller
Senior Staff Attorney, the NhRP
[link removed] [[link removed]]
The NhRP is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation (Tax ID #: 04-3289466). It is solely through your donations that we can continue to work for the recognition and protection of fundamental rights for nonhuman animals.
FOLLOW
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
DONATE [[link removed]]
GET YOUR NhRP GEAR AT OUR ONLINE SHOP [[link removed]]
The Nonhuman Rights Project
611 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
#345
Washington, DC 20003
United States
[email protected] [[email protected]]
Click here to unsubscribe. [[link removed]]