Please join the Nonhuman Rights Project on August 10th as we rally in support of freedom for our elephant client Happy, a wild-born elephant held in captivity at the Bronx Zoo for over 40 years, the last 13 of which she has spent alone.
During the rally, NhRP President Steven M. Wise and staff will give updates on our litigation on behalf of Happy and our campaign to free her from the Bronx Zoo to a sanctuary.
Since our June 1st rally at the Bronx Zoo, the campaign to free Happy has gained incredible momentum. Freelance journalist Yashar Ali published a Twitter thread about Happy, which went viral with the hashtag #FreeHappy. Numerous celebrities and influential people, including Kristin Davis, Whitney Cummings, Piers Morgan, and Sebastian Roche, tweeted in support of Happy’s release. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Coretz, whose district is adjacent to the zoo and whom Ali tagged in the thread along with other lawmakers, responded by saying her team would look into what they could do.
Most recently, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who is an ex-officio trustee for the Wildlife Conservation Society, announced his support for Happy’s freedom and urged the Bronx Zoo to close its elephant exhibit and send Happy and Patty, the zoo’s other elephant, to a sanctuary.
It is more important than ever that we show the Bronx Zoo and the elected officials of New York City how many people want Happy to be sent to a sanctuary, where she can reclaim the freedom that was stolen from her so long ago. Many other elephants with equally awful histories have done the same and thrived. Now it’s Happy’s turn.We will provide signs for attendees but feel free to bring your own. It will be hot, so dress in cool and comfortable clothing. We will provide water, but please bring your own if possible to ensure you are adequately hydrated. This will be a peaceful and respectful demonstration where we band together to advocate for the end of Happy’s imprisonment.
Please RSVP on the Facebook event page or by email to cfern@nonhumanrights.org.
WHAT: Rally for Happy’s Freedom
WHEN: Sat. August 10th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: Bronx Zoo, meet at Asia gate entrance (Gate A). Driving directions and parking options can be found here, and public transportation directions can be found here.
WHY: Join the NhRP in raising awareness about Happy’s plight and letting the Bronx Zoo know it’s time for it to close its elephant exhibit and send Happy to an elephant sanctuary.
To learn more about Happy and how you can help free her to an elephant sanctuary, visit her court case page and her campaign page.