The Cle Elum Seven are chimpanzees who suffered in a laboratory before, with the help of PETA, they were given a home at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in Cle Elum, Washington.  Now, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their residence, the City Council has unanimously issued a proclamation that makes the chimps honorary citizens, in addition to commending Cle Elum’s human residents for donating toys, food, blankets, and time to the sanctuary.

While the statement seems to be more symbolic than activist, it is still an encouraging step forward for the rights of non-humans.   Events such as this, combined with Spain’s historic decision to recognize the rights of great apes, show that the primate personhood movement is gaining momentum.