2017 Events
On January 31st, LEAP advocates Sam Whincup and Mary-Ann Holm were interviewed on Marti Oakley's TS Radio "Voices Carry for Animals" on Blog Talk Radio (WEB). You can listen to the interview here.
On Feb 6th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the first Step Up For Lucy Event.
On Feb 22nd, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 2nd Step Up For Lucy Event.
On March 20th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the third Step Up For Lucy Event.
On April 10th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the fourth Step Up For Lucy Event.
On April 24th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the fifth Step Up For Lucy Event.
On April 28th, 2017 LEAP welcomed Chris Swanlund to
our Administration group.
On May 8th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the sixth Step Up For Lucy Event.
On May 26th, 2017 LEAP advocates held the first Light Brigade of 2017 to protest Lucy's 40th year in captivity at the Edmonton Valley Zoo
On May 27th, 2017 LEAP advocates held a demonstration at the zoo to protest Lucy's 40th year in captivity at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. We had 60 people come out to help with this event, the most advocates so far! So a HUGE thank you to all of them. We also had one Lucy Advocate travel all the way from Ontario especially to participate, Ursula Saarniit deserves a medal of compassion for coming all this way just for Lucy!!
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Even though news releases were sent to all of the media outlets in Edmonton, only CBC Edmonton turned up (as they usually do) to cover this event. It shows you what we are up against in this city, even with the media!
On May 28th, 2017 LEAP advocates went to the zoo do acquire new photos and videos of Lucy and Ursula joined us to see Lucy first hand for herself. She was appalled how she wasn't allowed to do anything without her keepers telling her where to go and how to do it. The photo to the far right is Ursula in the gift shop that exploits Lucy even further with a wall full of Lucy 'paintings'. Ursula picked up a photo of free elephants to make a statement that instead of doing paintings for tourists that Lucy too should be free at a sanctuary!
On June 9th & 10th, 2017 LEAP admins Nadia Farhat and Jani Painter manned tables at the Night Market in Edmonton. Nadia's business "The Mile" Tattoo Studio donated booth space for LEAP to have a table at the market.
On June 12th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the seventh Step Up For Lucy Event.
On June 25th, 2017 LEAP members, friends & families headed out to FARRM (Farm Animal Rescue & Rehoming Movement) to spend a day on a farm animal sanctuary.
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Unfortunately, when dealing with the City of Edmonton and the Valley Zoo and Lucy's life, our members don't get a lot of satisfaction and happiness in her story. We thought this would be a good team morale builder and give them a taste of what animals look like that have been rescued and given a safe place to live out their lives.
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Check out the full album of photos from our day out at FARRM in the Gallery. For more information on FARRM, please visit their website here.
On June 28th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the 8th Step Up For Lucy Event.
On September 3, 2017 LEAP had a tabling for #PutLucyOnAgenda at the South Common farmer's Market.
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Brand new venues bring in new people!
On August, 2017 LEAP had a tabling for #PutLucyOnAgenda at Gazebo park in Old Strathcona
October 21 - 28 LEAP held their 3rd annual fundraising online auction. This year we contributed a portion of our proceeds to CES (Centre for Eco-cultural Studies) in Sri Lanka. CES is fighting for baby elephants who are captured in Sri Lanka to be sold into the zoo industry as Lucy was. CES has been very supportive of LEAP's efforts to help Lucy.
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It was our best results yet with both contributors and money raised, so a huge THANK YOU to everyone that participated!
On November 12th, 2017 LEAP admins Mary-Ann and Jani set up a table at LUSH Cosmetics in Kingsway Garden Mall. LUSH has been a great supporter of LEAP with a large cash donation and LEAP/Lucy Charity Pots for sale!
On November 15th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the ninth Step Up For Lucy Event.
On November 25th, 2017 LEAP admin Sam went to the Edmonton Valley Zoo to get new photos and videos of Lucy
On December 4th, 2017 LEAP advocates showed up to City of Edmonton council meeting for the tenth Step Up For Lucy Event. It was by far our biggest turn out of the year!
