Courts will decide if chimps should have same rights as humans

SmashMouth · 10-04-2014, 07:59 AM

It’s the “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”
A New York appeals court next week will consider whether chimps should have the same rights as human beings.
The extraordinary proceeding is the result of a lengthy battle by animal-rights activists who argue that animals with human qualities — including chimps — are entitled to human protections, including freedom from captivity.
Steven Wise, part of the Nonhuman Rights Project, which is leading the effort, will have to convince a panel of Albany appellate judges that a chimp name Tommy is a “legal person” to get him moved from a cage in an upstate farm to a sanctuary in Florida.

“It’s a morally wrong thing to do,” said Wise of Tommy’s longtime captivity as a pet in Gloversville. “As a matter of both liberty and equality, Tommy should be seen as a person.”
Research by cognitive experts says chimps have autonomous and self-determining qualities akin to human beings, Wise said.

read more from the NY Post

10-04-2014, 07:59 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,550 Blog Entries: 29	Courts will decide if chimps should have same rights as humans It’s the “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” A New York appeals court next week will consider whether chimps should have the same rights as human beings. The extraordinary proceeding is the result of a lengthy battle by animal-rights activists who argue that animals with human qualities — including chimps — are entitled to human protections, including freedom from captivity. Steven Wise, part of the Nonhuman Rights Project, which is leading the effort, will have to convince a panel of Albany appellate judges that a chimp name Tommy is a “legal person” to get him moved from a cage in an upstate farm to a sanctuary in Florida. “It’s a morally wrong thing to do,” said Wise of Tommy’s longtime captivity as a pet in Gloversville. “As a matter of both liberty and equality, Tommy should be seen as a person.” Research by cognitive experts says chimps have autonomous and self-determining qualities akin to human beings, Wise said. read more from the NY Post