Port Townsend recognizes legal rights of southern resident orcas

A growing legal movement seeks to recognize the rights of nature. Activists in the Northwest are celebrating a first here: the city of Port Townsend, Washington, recognized the inherent rights of Southern Resident orcas Dec. 5.

The City’s mayor signed a proclamation Monday night, urging action by local, state, federal and tribal governments to protect those rights – and the ecosystems on which they depend.

“Whereas the Southern Resident Orcas are culturally, spiritually and economically important to the people of Washington State and the world …” the declaration begins.

It states that despite...