Historic Case Asked Court to Apply Amendment to Wild-Caught Orcas Enslaved for Human Entertainment
For Immediate Release:
March 13, 2012
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
State College, Penn. -- In the wake of PETA's historic lawsuit asking a federal court to declare that five wild-caught orcas forced to perform at SeaWorld are being held as slaves in violation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Jeff Kerr, general counsel to PETA, who led the legal team that brought the suit, will speak about the case—which was recently heard in federal court in San Diego—at Penn State Law on Wednesday. The event is open to the public.
When: Wednesday, March 14, 6 p.m.
Where: Auditorium of the Lewis Katz Building, Penn State Law, University Park
"The definition of slavery does not depend on the species of the slave any more than it depends on the race, gender, or ethnicity of the slave," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA's case for orcas' right to be free under the 13th Amendment is a historic step toward the day when all animals will be free from enslavement for human amusement."
A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law (1987), Kerr has 25 years of litigation experience and has defended animals for 16 years. In addition to his unwavering commitment to justice for animals, Kerr is a member of the board of directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, where he chairs the legal panel and serves on the Executive Committee.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.