In Historic Move, New York Court Recognizes 2 Chimps as ‘Legal Persons’
Exciting news! We are thrilled to be able to tell you that a Manhattan Supreme Court Justice has granted an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of NhRP plaintiffs Hercules and Leo, two chimpanzees being used in biomedical experiments at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York.
This is the first time in history that a judge has granted an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a nonhuman animal.
The ruling also implicitly recognizes Hercules and Leo as legal
persons, since only legal persons may be granted a writ of habeas
corpus under New York common law.
Needless to say, this is huge news, and we are beyond grateful for your commitment to the pursuit of freedom and justice for these imprisoned chimpanzees. Whether you've donated, helped to raise awareness of our work, or written in to let us know that you stand behind our mission, the NhRP would never have gotten this far without your support.
Next up: a hearing in which Stony Brook University—represented by the Attorney General of New York—must appear in court and provide a legally sufficient reason for detaining Hercules and Leo, whom we argue should be freed and released into the care of Save the Chimps' sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
To read the judge's order and the press release we issued earlier today, visit our website. We'll be sure to keep you updated on any developments via our newsletter and social media sites. In the meantime, please share this news with anyone you know who supports nonhuman rights!
A judge in New York has made history after granting an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus to two chimpanzees, Leo and Hercules. This groundbreaking ruling came after a long, hard-fought battle from the Nonhuman Rights Project, a non-profit that seeks to grant legal personhood to animals. This amazing team of animal advocates and lawyers set out to gain Leo and Hercules personhood rights in 2013 and are finally on their way to getting these two chimps the freedom they deserve!
Leo and Hercules are currently being used in biomedical experimentation at Stony Brook University; however, now that they have been granted the writ of habeas corpus, the Nonhuman Rights team can serve the University, forcing them to appear in court to prove the legal basis upon which they are holding these two chimps captive. If the court rules against Stony Brook University, then Leo and Hercules are set to be released from the lab and sent to Save the Chimps Sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida. This secondary court date is set for May, 6, 2015, but may be moved up to occur earlier in May.
The idea of granting animals legal personhood has become a highly controversial topic in recent years. While it may seem extreme to grant animals “human rights,” the writ of habeas corpus only allows nonhuman animals the most basic form of rights – driving and voting are not included. Personhood allows animals to be recognized as individuals rather than property and gives them the protection to lead their lives on their own right, rather than being subject to the will of humans.
Many animals, including chimpanzees, possess the ability of self-recognition, experience a wide range of emotions similar to humans, possess a degree of cognitive sophistication, and can solve complex problems, yet, due to their physiological difference from humans, we do not recognize these abilities. Sadly, this means that we have become accustomed to viewing animals as “lesser” beings than humans and as a result have subjected them to lives in cages for experimentation, entertainment, and in some cases, consumption. Knowing all that we do about animal’s abilities to feel pain, fear and recognize their own suffering, it is exceptionally cruel to continue to ignore their plight and deny them the most basic rights to life. However, with this ruling from New York State’s court, there is hope that our cultural perception of nonhuman animals will change for the better.
A big thank you to the Nonhuman Rights Project for standing up for animals and refusing to let their voices go unheard!
To support the incredible work being done by the Nonhuman Rights Project, click here.
Exciting news! We are thrilled to be able to tell you that a Manhattan Supreme Court Justice has granted an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of NhRP plaintiffs Hercules and Leo, two chimpanzees being used in biomedical experiments at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York.
This is the first time in history that a judge has granted an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a nonhuman animal.
Needless to say, this is huge news, and we are beyond grateful for your commitment to the pursuit of freedom and justice for these imprisoned chimpanzees. Whether you've donated, helped to raise awareness of our work, or written in to let us know that you stand behind our mission, the NhRP would never have gotten this far without your support.
Next up: a hearing in which Stony Brook University—represented by the Attorney General of New York—must appear in court and provide a legally sufficient reason for detaining Hercules and Leo, whom we argue should be freed and released into the care of Save the Chimps' sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
To read the judge's order and the press release we issued earlier today, visit our website. We'll be sure to keep you updated on any developments via our newsletter and social media sites. In the meantime, please share this news with anyone you know who supports nonhuman rights!
A judge in New York has made history after granting an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus to two chimpanzees, Leo and Hercules. This groundbreaking ruling came after a long, hard-fought battle from the Nonhuman Rights Project, a non-profit that seeks to grant legal personhood to animals. This amazing team of animal advocates and lawyers set out to gain Leo and Hercules personhood rights in 2013 and are finally on their way to getting these two chimps the freedom they deserve!
Leo and Hercules are currently being used in biomedical experimentation at Stony Brook University; however, now that they have been granted the writ of habeas corpus, the Nonhuman Rights team can serve the University, forcing them to appear in court to prove the legal basis upon which they are holding these two chimps captive. If the court rules against Stony Brook University, then Leo and Hercules are set to be released from the lab and sent to Save the Chimps Sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida. This secondary court date is set for May, 6, 2015, but may be moved up to occur earlier in May.
The idea of granting animals legal personhood has become a highly controversial topic in recent years. While it may seem extreme to grant animals “human rights,” the writ of habeas corpus only allows nonhuman animals the most basic form of rights – driving and voting are not included. Personhood allows animals to be recognized as individuals rather than property and gives them the protection to lead their lives on their own right, rather than being subject to the will of humans.
Many animals, including chimpanzees, possess the ability of self-recognition, experience a wide range of emotions similar to humans, possess a degree of cognitive sophistication, and can solve complex problems, yet, due to their physiological difference from humans, we do not recognize these abilities. Sadly, this means that we have become accustomed to viewing animals as “lesser” beings than humans and as a result have subjected them to lives in cages for experimentation, entertainment, and in some cases, consumption. Knowing all that we do about animal’s abilities to feel pain, fear and recognize their own suffering, it is exceptionally cruel to continue to ignore their plight and deny them the most basic rights to life. However, with this ruling from New York State’s court, there is hope that our cultural perception of nonhuman animals will change for the better.
A big thank you to the Nonhuman Rights Project for standing up for animals and refusing to let their voices go unheard!
To support the incredible work being done by the Nonhuman Rights Project, click here.
