Skip to Content
PETA
Animals are not ours
to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.

PETA Statement, re: Lawsuit to Have Chimp Recognized as Legal Person

For Immediate Release:
December 2, 2013

As reported in today’s New York Times, PETA is pleased to see The Nonhuman Rights Project push for personhood rights for chimpanzees. PETA paved the way for this lawsuit in 2011, when we filed the first-ever lawsuit seeking constitutional rights for animals. “Tilikum v. SeaWorld” alleged that SeaWorld’s imprisonment of orcas violated the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, and was heard in federal court in 2012. While the suit was eventually dismissed, as were the first suits seeking constitutional protections for African-Americans and women, it has opened the door for future lawsuits that will one day grant animals the rights that they deserve.

For Media: Contact PETA’s Media Response Team.
Contact
GET PETA UPDATES
Stay up to date on the latest vegan trends and get breaking animal rights news delivered straight to your inbox!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

Get the Latest Tips—Right in Your Inbox
We’ll e-mail you weekly with the latest in vegan recipes, fashion, and more!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?”

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind

Read More