Japan Dolphin Day 2006

Japan Dolphin Day 2006

Let's abolish the annual dolphin slaughter!

Every year from October through April fishermen in some remote Japanese villages eradicate about 20,000 dolphins and porpoises in the most brutal way imaginable. This is the largest massacre of cetacean anywhere in the world. The fishermen have told us they kill the dolphins primarily as a form of "pest control." They say the dolphins eat too many fish, and they need to eradicate the competition.

If the fishermen didn't get a permit from Tokyo, they would have to stop the killings immediately. We need to let the Japanese authorities know that these crimes against nature are unacceptable to the rest of the world. Therefore, we have organized a world-wide protest to send a powerful message to the Japanese government: STOP THE DOLPHIN SLAUGHTER.

The Japanese government and fishermen say dolphin hunting is part of Japanese culture. In reality, however, the majority of the Japanese population doesn't know the dolphin slaughter exists. If they knew, they would help us stop it. Our team has traveled to Japanese fishing villages several times to document and expose the dolphin massacres to the Japanese people -- and the fishermen have done all they can to hide their bloody work from our cameras. They don't want the Japanese people to know the truth. "It's none of their business," they say.

Our Japanese colleagues tell us that outside pressure can stop the dolphin slaughter. So why not give the Japanese decision-makers in Tokyo some serious, outside international media pressure? The goal is to make this the biggest global protest against the annual dolphin slaughter in history, and we hope that everyone who is opposed to the dolphin slaughter will show up and demonstrate. We need your help in making the international day of protest successful.

To pull this off, we need TENS OF THOUSANDS of non- violent, peaceful protesters in front of Japanese embassies around the world on September 20th.

The event is not limited to animal protection groups, and we would like to add some schools and civic groups to the list. Children should be educated about this issue and have the opportunity to participate in the global effort to stop the dolphin slaughter. What a great learning experience for a child that would be; especially if they actually won as a result of their effort. The Japanese government and dolphin hunters expect environmental/animal protection groups to protest. They don't, however, expect regular people to demonstrate in front of the various Japanese embassies. This is why we are asking you to please contact your friends and neighbors, local schools and civic clubs. Ask them to show up in front of any Japanese embassy or consulate office to protest the dolphin slaughter.

SIZE DOESN'T MATTER

The IWC instituted a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986. Twenty years later, whaling continues. How many whales have died during this moratorium? About 27,000 whales have been killed since the moratorium went into effect. Many NGO's and government agencies are working on the whaling issue, and that's a good thing.
Now consider the sad fact that more than 20,000 other whales are deliberately slaughtered in Japan every year. That's right, 20,000 whales are killed in the most brutal way imaginable every year in Japan. Dolphins are whales.
Why are we doing so little to stop this madness? I think it has to do with size - or the lack of it. The great whales are spectacularly big. Thus, the 1000 great whales get more attention than the 20,000 smaller whales. Our coalition tried to bring attention to this injustice at the IWC meeting in St. Kitts.

Take a look: http://www.earthisland.org/saveTaijiDolphins/newsIWCprotest.html
Any one of these 20,000 smaller whales are no less - or more - important than the 1000 larger whales. The problem for these smaller whales is that the same people who are concerned about the larger whales are apparently not as interested in the smaller whales. Why is this? When it comes to experiencing pain and suffering, size doesn't matter.
On September 20th you will have a small window of opportunity to bring attention these smaller whales. All you have to do is get yourself to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate office at high noon. We don't want your money. We are not asking you to go to Japan. We know first-hand that showing up in Japan is very expensive and dangerous. We are only asking you for your good energy - for just a few hours - on Japan Dolphin Day. That's it.

Please note that this will be an all-inclusive event. In other words, the protest will not take place under the umbrella of any one group.

What, When, Who, and How

Q: What is it?

A: It's the annual international protest against the largest slaughter of dolphins in the world.

Q: Who's doing this protest?

A: Anyone and everyone can participate: Animal welfare groups, environmentalists, bands, schools, ordinary citizens, dolphin trainers, everyone.

Q: Where is the protest?

A: At the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate office. Here's the international list: http://www.learn4good.com/travel/japan_embassies.htm

Here's the USA list and map: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/visa/map.htm

Q: What do I do:

A: Simply show up with all of your friends at any Japanese embassy or consulate office and protest these crimes against nature. You can also call or write them - or do all three: show up, call them, and send a protest letter.

Q: When do I do it?

A: At about noon on September 20th. Check with your local NGO.

Ends