The cause of animal rights may be moving forward. Activists were given a historic victory yesterday when a judge at the New York Supreme Court of Justice briefly decreed that chimpanzees held at Stony Brook University for research purposes are covered by a writ of habeas corpus, effectively rendering the animals as legal “people”. Although the decision to grant the chimps human rights was amended hours later, the Nonhuman Rights Project, which claims the animals are unlawfully detained, said they plan to use it in future cases brought in the defense of other intelligent animals such as elephants and dolphins. Even if the May 6th hearing of a Stony Brook University representative brings no further development to the case, yesterday’s temporary decision of the judge may have just cracked the door open onto a new era for the defense of captive animals in the court of law in America.
US judge briefly extends human rights to chimpanzees
More of Today's Solutions
Norway hits pause on deep-sea mining until 2029 amid growing environmental pr...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Norway has hit the brakes on its controversial plans to mine the deep ocean floor, announcing it will ...
Read MoreA gentle way to begin again: the beginner’s guide to loving-kindness (metta) ...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As each new year begins, many of us feel an intuitive pull to slow down, breathe deeply, and ...
Read MoreLove bees but need to relocate a hive? Here’s how to do it sustainably
If you are a longtime reader of The Optimist Daily, you’ll know that our team loves bees (and other pollinators). We've published many stories ...
Read MoreConnecticut passes new gun control law: A step towards safety
Connecticut, known for its strict gun control laws, enacted one of the most stringent firearm rules since the 2013 law authorized in the aftermath ...
Read More
