Wednesday, January 16, 2008

In Solidarity with Sea Shepherd – Japanese Consulate NYC

On January 15, 2008, two members of the crew of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Steve Irwin attempted to deliver a message to the Captain of the Yushin Maru 2. The message notified them that they were involved in illegal whaling in the Australian Antarctic Whale Sanctuary. The two crew members, Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane were prevented from leaving the ship despite the letter’s indication that they were not there to do any harm, just to deliver a message.

In solidarity with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Win Animal Rights immediately launched a mail/call/fax campaign and encouraged it’s readers to express their anger to the Japanese Consulate Offices and Embassies around the world. When it became clear that the Japanese had no intention of releasing the two crew members, Win Animal Rights called for a protest at the Japanese Consulate Office in New York City.

On Wednesday, January 16,2008, activists gathered at 299 Park Avenue, the office address of the Japan Consulate General in New York City. The super cold weather did not stop the gathering of angry activists. When activists arrived the sight of representatives of the Japanese Consulate palling around with the NYPD did nothing to assuage their anger. An attempt to position the demonstration facing a massive plywood wall was thwarted by determination and insistence that demonstrators had a constitutional right to be heard.

A loud and angry demonstration followed. Posters with pictures of the hostages were displayed; hundreds of pieces of literature telling the story of Japan’s rogue whaler were distributed to the lunchtime Park Avenue crowd. Chanting was loud and pointed: “Benjamin Potts….Let Him Go” and “Giles Lane….Let Him Go”. The sounds of raised voices filled the air as activists chanted: “Whale Killer….Go Home”…….”Kidnapper…..Go Home” and “Your Money, Your Fault….Your Greed, Your Fault…….Your Whale Hunt, Your Fault”.

Activists named and shamed those responsible for this thuggery and treachery on the high seas. “Stop the torture, Stop the Pain…..the Yushin Maru is to Blame” followed by “Stop the Murder, Stop the Pain….the Japanese Government is to Blame”. The members of the Consulate who stood on the steps in front of the building could hardly make eye contact with the activists. A TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) media team conducted interviews and filmed the Consulate protest.

A promise was made to take the protest to the Japanese Embassy, if the hostages were not released immediately. Activists also pledged to continue the protests even after the hostages are released. “We will never back down, until they stop the killing”……that would be the whale and dolphin killing. “We’ll be back!” Of this, there is no doubt.

*click here for slide show & video clips*

 

 

 

 

 

 

W.A.R. (WIN ANIMAL RIGHTS) is an independent non-profit organization not affiliated or associated with SHAC, SHAC USA or any other group or organization and does not conduct or incite any illegal activity. The above information is not meant to incite or request any illegal actions or illegal activities of any kind. If you have any questions about the legality of any act, we encourage everyone receiving this (or the) action alert(s) to check your local laws and ordinances before proceeding to do anything.