Skip to main content
  • Our New Client in Our First California Lawsuit 
  • LA Times: “For too long, we’ve salved our consciences with tepid animal welfare laws”
  • “The most important animal-rights case of the 21st century”
  • NhRP Seminar Series
  • NhRP Interview Series
<
>
Blog

Back to nonhumanrights.org

  • Donate
  • Shop   ↗

Back to nonhumanrights.org

  • About NhRP
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Story
    • FAQ
    • Unlocking the Cage
    • Media Center
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Litigation
    • Legislation + Advocacy
    • Education
    • The Fight to #FreeTheFresnoElephants
    • Free Happy Now
  • Progress
  • Blog
Photo: Gigi Glendinning

Grassroots Advocacy

Rally for Freedom for Happy on August 10th in the Bronx

By Courtney Fern on July 17, 2019
Share this story:

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.

Courtney Fern is the NhRP’s Director of Government Relations and Campaigns.

Must Reads

  • Why Happy needs and deserves sanctuary in Court Cases, Grassroots Advocacy
  • Amicus support for the fight to #FreeHappy in Court Cases
  • Where is Tommy the Chimp? in News
  • Why We Fight for Nonhuman Rights: Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s Story Part 1 in Stories
  • “The key is ending injustice, period” in Interviews

Get Involved

Subscribe to our email list to receive updates and learn about events and volunteer opportunities in your area.

Nonhuman Rights Project

We are the only civil rights organization in the United States dedicated solely to securing rights for nonhuman animals.

5195 NW 112th Terrace
Coral Springs, FL 33076
Tax ID #: 04-3289466

Sign up to receive updates

© 2023 Nonhuman Rights Project, all rights reserved.

  • Privacy

Follow us to get updates