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Bainbridge Island U.S. Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas

United States of America
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Approved in 2023
Declaration
Animal Rights, Rights Of Nature
Southern Resident Orca
Animal
City Council of Bainbridge Island
Government

Summary

On February 14, 2023, the Mayor and City Council of Bainbridge Island, Washington, signed a Proclamation declaring the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas, which include “the right to: life, autonomy, culture, free and safe passage, adequate food supply from naturally occurring sources, and freedom from conditions causing physical, emotional, or mental harm, including a habitat degraded by noise, pollution and contamination.” (1). The Proclamation also recognizes that “Nature and all living beings…and the ecosystems upon which they depend, are recognized as possessing inherent rights, including to exist, flourish, evolve, regenerate, recover, and be restored.” (1)

The Proclamation describes the City of Bainbridge Island’s support for action by local, state, federal and tribal governments that secure and effectuate the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas. This follows similar proclamations by the cities of Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, and Langley, Washington in December 2022.

To see the original legal document(s) for this initiative, click the links below:

Bainbridge Island Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas [pg. 3-4] [PDF]

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