When we started to work with GAP Project, more than one decade ago, we asked the project lawyers why they did not enter with a declaratory order in the Supreme Court of the United States prompting the basic rights of great apes and their recognition as No-Human persons. The frustrating answer was that the American society and its legal system were not ready yet to accept this sort of thesis.

When we received the news that a court of the State of New York denied the category of “legal person” to chimpanzee Tommy, that the lawyer and fighter for the rights of primates Steven Wise had requested, it did not surprise us.

The American society is still a society steeped in racism. Currently we see how the black minority manisfest in the streets of several cities of the country to enforce their rights, hardly conquered, but not completely, a few decades ago.

If racism still permeates the minds of many citizens, it is inconceivable that a minority, that neither American is, but African, advance in their struggle for basic rights in that society.

The fight will continue, since Steven Wise and his project of Rights for Non-Human will reach other higher courts.

Maybe Tommy, who is over 40 and lives in the house of a citizen who got his tutelage of an entertainment center where he worked, will not be able to see the result of efforts of the North American who want to see the extinction of racism in the country.

Breaking paradigms is not easy, especially in a society with a long history of abuse and exploitation of minorities, trying to reach an equal status in their society.

GAP Project continues its worldwide purpose of recognition of Great Apes as Non-Human persons. In each country that achieves it, it will be a breakthrough that will resonate in the rest of the planet. Each won lawsuit will enforce the rights of great apes and will be a world victory. We should not give up; racism must be cut off from the human soul and the conquest of the rights of the forgotten primates minority will be a victory that is priceless.

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian

President, GAP Project International

Read more on

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30338231

Related news:

https://www.projetogap.org.br/en/noticia/manifesto-signed-500-personalities-released/