Animal Rights Protesters Arrested at Emory

Two animal rights protesters were arrested Monday afternoon at after they blocked the entrance to the university with a banner and chained themselves to it.

The protesters were calling for researchers to free Wenka, a chimpanzee that has been used in studies at the Yerkes Research Center.

Emory University released this statement Monday afternoon:

"Two animal rights protesters who hung a banner across the main entrance gate of the Emory campus and chained themselves to the banner, blocking access to the campus, were arrested for criminal trespass today. This happened after they declined a request from Emory Police to remove themselves and the banner from the roadway. 

Emory and the Yerkes Research Center  are devoted to the care of Wenka, the oldest chimpanzee at Yerkes. Wenka has been a key participant in the Center’s National Institute on Aging-funded grant to compare how humans, chimpanzees and rhesus monkeys age. 

The knowledge Yerkes researchers are gaining from Wenka and other animals at the center is invaluable in helping humans live longer, more healthful lives. Yerkes researchers will continue to build upon their solid foundation of scientific advancements, and the center will continue to provide experts to care for all of its animals."

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