Save the York 9: Back-to-school Protest & Student Outreach
🚨 BACK TO SCHOOL PROTEST & OUTREACH: HELP SAVE THE YORK 9
📍 TTC York University subway station entrances
120 Ian Macdonald Boulevard, York University
🕐 September 18th 3-5pm
Students are back, and we’re coming back bigger.
Join Toronto animal rights activists and Last Chance for Animals for a major back-to-school protest and outreach event calling for an end to primate experimentation at York University and freedom for the York 9.
Thousands of students will be returning to campus, giving us an important opportunity to reach people who may have no idea that macaques are being experimented on at their own university.
We’ll have:
• Speakers sharing what is happening inside York’s primate labs
• A media truck playing footage from LCA’s undercover investigation
• Two video stations at the subway entrances where students can watch investigation footage
• New signage
• QR-code action stations so students can take action immediately
• FREE Save the York 9 T-shirts and tote bags while supplies last
• Plenty of opportunities to help with friendly student outreach
Materials are provided. Just show up and help us make the York 9 impossible to ignore as students return to campus.
🐒 WHY WE’RE THERE
Nine rhesus macaques are currently being used in experiments at York University. Some have reportedly spent more than 17 years inside the laboratory.
An undercover investigation by Last Chance for Animals (LCA) documented disturbing conditions and procedures, including water restriction, permanent restraint collars, permanent head posts and chamber implants in their skulls for brain access, repeated invasive surgeries, prolonged social isolation and stereotypic behaviours associated with psychological distress. According to the investigation, some macaques were observed drinking their own urine amid water restriction, while one, Liesl, has suffered significant vision loss. Seven of the nine were reportedly housed alone.
These nine individuals have names: Bento, Hannah, Kenny, Liesl, Magneto, Mini-Sass, Do, Olivia, and Virginia.
We want the York 9 released so they can finally retire from research.
But this campaign is about more than nine macaques.
🔬 OLD SCIENCE → NEW SCIENCE
We are also calling for a transition away from animal experimentation and toward modern, human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
Instead of continuing invasive experiments on primates, we want to see Canada invest in innovative non-animal science and educate the next generation of researchers in methods that don’t depend on harming animals.
Back-to-school is our opportunity to make sure York students know what’s happening on their campus, and know that they have the power to help change it.
Please keep outreach friendly and respectful. If possible, avoid clothing with unrelated logos or messaging so that our campaign visuals remain clear and unified. We also ask everyone to please follow directions from event organizers and stick to the plans established for the day. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome, but some activities, including media and content capture, are planned in advance and need to be carried out as coordinated so we can use everyone’s time effectively. The end of each event is a great time for us to chat, share ideas and discuss how things went. You’re also welcome to message Vikki or the other organizers directly with any questions, concerns or suggestions at any time.
📢 Invite your friends and share this event. The bigger our turnout, the harder this issue is to ignore.
⬇️ LEARN MORE • WATCH THE INVESTIGATION • TAKE ACTION
Other ways you can help below.
Ontario Residents: Tell Your MPP to Ban Primate Testing
https://secure.lcanimal.org/page/100401/action/1
Premier Ford: Ban Primate Testing in Ontario
https://secure.lcanimal.org/page/100507/action/1
Note: Please check the Facebook event page for updates.