On Jan 5th, 2019 LEAP advocates joined up with fellow advocates in Los Angeles - Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles and Portland - Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants to hold a candle light vigil for the 17 elephants that died at AZA accredited facilities in 2017-2018. We were also joined in support by Elephants in Japan, Save Nosey Now, Inc., and Action for Elephants UK. Advocates not able to join the vigils in person sent in photos of their own vigils which was made into a video found in our video section.
Edmonton Vigil
Los Angeles Vigil
Portland Vigil
On Jan 21st, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 23rd Step Up For Lucy Event.
On Feb 4, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 24th Step Up For Lucy Event.
We also hand delivered the heartfelt adorable drawings and a letter from the student's about Lucy as well as a class photo from Miss Mody's Grade 2 class to City Council's office today while we were there.
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On March 11, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 25th Step Up For Lucy Event.
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On April 1, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 26th Step Up For Lucy Event. This marked 2 years of attending City Council Meetings!
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On March 18, 2019 LEAP advocates had a peaceful demonstration, calling on our Premier and our Provincial Ministers to finally enforce the Alberta Standards for Zoos and the Alberta Animal Protection Act with regards to Lucy at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. We request that the AB Government not issue an annual zoo permit to the Valley Zoo in light of these violations as has been done in years past. The Edmonton Valley Zoo is breaking the law and should be forced to come into compliance with our zoo standards and APA.
This was a 2 part demonstration. At the offices of the AEP Minister at 2pm. Then marched 2 blocks south to the Legislature to be present at 3 pm for the Opening Session of the 2019 Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The season kicks off with the annual Speech From The Throne.
Our Provincial Government, specifically our Minister of Environment & Parks (AEP) Shannon Phillips are not enforcing their own AB Zoo Standards with regards to Lucy at the Edmonton Valley Zoo (EVZ). AEP is responsible for public safety and issuance of zoo permits. All permit holders are supposed to comply with the zoo standards. Our Minister of Agriculture & Forestry (AF) Oniel Carlier is not enforcing the Alberta Animal Protection Act, the AF is responsible for enforcement of animal care standards. They are not being complied with in Lucy’s case.
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On May 13, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 27th Step Up For Lucy Event.
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On May 18, 2019 LEAP advocates held a public awareness event in Old Strathcona. Members of LEAP engaged the public to educate them about Lucy's plight. They distributed our City Hall postcards and a variety of educational information about Lucy.
May 19th marked the 42nd Anniversary of Lucy's lonely captivity at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Taken from the wilds of Sri Lanka as a baby, she has never known the companionship of her own species since she was kidnapped from her herd. Despite the efforts of so many for over a decade, Lucy continues to languish at the Valley Zoo. Never having the opportunity to swim or wallow in a mud pit, never able to forage through the trees or sleep on a sunny hillside and never having any freedom of choice as to how she spends her day. She has been controlled by a bullhook since her arrival at the zoo in 1977.
On May 25, 2019 LEAP President Mary-Ann and VP Sam traveled up to Cold Lake, AB to attend LEAP advocate Amy Bedard's "Trumpet Loud" Event for the citizens of Cold Lake. This included showing the movie "Love and Bananas", followed by a Live Q&A from non other than Lek Chailert from Elephant Nature Park in Thailand and then a rousing speech by Mary-Ann. It was a great time and we had great audience participation from those in attendance! Thank you for having us Amy!
On June 17, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 28th Step Up For Lucy Event.
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On July 15, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 29th Step Up For Lucy Event.
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On July 18, 2019 LEAP admin Amy made this awesome video for LEAP
On August 20, 2019 LEAP member Tami Lindberg of Red Deer did an awareness walk to bring attention to Lucy in her home town.
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On August 17, 2019 LEAP advocates participated in a Light Brigade for Lucy in honour of World Elephant Day
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On August 26, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 30th Step Up For Lucy Event.
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On September 14, 2019 LEAP participated in the 2nd Annual VegFest Edmonton. It was tons of fun and we got a huge stack of postcards signed to send into City Hall!
On September 23, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 31st Step Up For Lucy Event.
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On October 11, 2019 LEAP admin Marilyn Glazer
took to protesting the circus coming to town with elephants in her city of residence, Memphis, TN!
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On October 21, 2019 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 32nd Step Up For Lucy Event. This would be the last one they attended for 2019.
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From October 26 - November 2, 2019 LEAP held their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Annual Online Auction. LEAP broke their own record by raising in excess of $2000!
On December 29, 2019 LEAP received their plaque they order on behalf of Lucy that will be placed on the barn they are building at Europe's first elephant sanctuary in France!
