“The presence of massive, intelligent, far-roaming, emotional animals such as elephants in urban zoos exemplifies contradiction and discordance, and my public projections of their image onto urban walls and out-of-context surfaces adds to the layers of incongruity. Aware of the tremendous need to protect native habitat and its residents, this project contributes to the idea that sentient beings are not meant for spectacle or display.” – Colleen Plumb

Dear John,

Join us at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 22^nd—Elephant Appreciation Day 2020—for an online conversation with artist Colleen Plumb, whose public projections of elephants in captivity compel reflection on the suffering of elephants in zoos and “the striving for human domination over nature.” Colleen’s new book, Thirty Times A Minute, features photos of these projections and includes essays by NhRP President Steven M. Wise, Catherine Doyle of PAWS sanctuary, ElephantVoices’ Dr. Joyce Poole, and other elephant advocates and friends of the NhRP. Click here for full details and how to join.

Tomorrow we’re also asking you to post on social media about why you appreciate elephants and support their right to live freely! Here’s what we need you to do: 

1. Post an image to Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter that shows your appreciation for elephants. This could be a photo you’ve taken, a drawing or other piece of artwork you’ve created, or whatever helps you convey what you love about elephants. You can use this image if you don’t have one of your own.
2. Tag the Nonhuman Rights Project and use the hashtags #ElephantAppreciationDay, #FreeHappy, and #FreeMinnie.
3. Include a caption about why you appreciate elephants and support their right to live freely.

We’ll share selected posts on social media throughout the day.

If you have any questions you’d like answered by Colleen in this online seminar, please feel free to email us ahead of time at [email protected]. You can also ask them live via the Zoom chat window.

Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Mickey Suzuki
Development Director, the NhRP