3 charged as protester chains herself to zoo structure in protest of Lucy’s captivity

The Edmonton Police Service says three people are facing charges after a woman chained herself to a structure at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

Three people have been charged after a protest at the Edmonton Valley Zoo on Tuesday calling for the release of Lucy the elephant.

A 53-year-old woman chained herself to a structure at the zoo entrance around noon.

According to a news release, the protest was put on by a group called Direct Action Everywhere in hopes of having Lucy transferred to a sanctuary in Tennessee.

The group livestreamed their demonstration to social media.

The video showed a handful of members of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) standing nearby as the woman and other members of the group shouted “Free Lucy!”

Shortly before the livestream cut off, one of the officers approaches the group and asks them to leave before they’re removed by police.

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A second video posted by the group shows a protester filming in first-person while a police officer hands them a ticket and notifies them that they have been cited for trespassing.

The video continues to show the protester walking over to a group of other protesters singing about Lucy in the zoo parking lot.

The group is approached by police and told they are on private property and they have to leave or be taken into custody.

The video ends with the group leaving the zoo.

According to the EPS, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services was called in to cut the woman free from the structure.

She, along with a 53-year-old man and a 31-year-old man have been charged with public mischief, possessing a concealed weapon, causing a disturbance, and trespassing.

“EPS supports the right to peaceful protest, and we remain committed to facilitating that safely and respectfully,” an EPS spokesperson said in an email to CTV News Edmonton.

Officials say the zoo remained open throughout the protest.

“The protest occurred in a public area of the zoo, during which time zoo staff maintained the safety and security of all guests, animals, and personnel,” Debi Winwood of the City of Edmonton said in an email to CTV News Edmonton.

“The Edmonton Valley Zoo respects the right to peaceful protest but emphasizes that such activities must take place outside of the facility in designated areas to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests and the well-being of the animals in our care.

“As this group was loud, disruptive, and refused to leave when asked, police were called to escort them off of zoo property.”

Lucy has been the subject of numerous protests over the years.

In 2009, former gameshow host Bob Barker called for her to be moved to a sanctuary.

He visited the zoo to see Lucy the same year.

Lucy has been at the zoo since May 19, 1977, when she arrived from an animal orphanage in Sri Lanka.