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NZer Among 11 Arrested In Seal Hunt Protest
Press Release
Auckland Earth First!
1 April 2005
Former New Zealand Resident Among 11 Arrested In Seal Hunt Protest in Canada
New Zealand friends and supporters are concerned for the safety of former resident Lisa Shalom, who is one of several anti seal hunt protesters beaten and arrested today in Canada after they attempted to film the slaughter of baby seals.
Eleven protesters from the Sea Shepherd Conservation society were on the ice filming the killing of seals when hunters turned on them and attacked with clubs and pick axes. Several activists were injured but the Canadian Coast guard arrested the activists not the hunters.
"We are all worried about her safety. Witnesses say she was punched repeatedly by seal hunters before being arrested by the Canadian coastguard" said Simon Oosterman, Lisas partner before she left New Zealand.
"We have been in touch with the Canadian Authorities and are demanding to know why Lisa was arrested and not her attackers" said Mr Oosterman.
The Canadian commercial seal hunt is the largest mass slaughter of marine mammals in the world, and Canada intends to slaughter over 325,000 seals in March and April.
"The seals are unnecessarily slaughtered for vanity and luxury items. 95% of the seals killed are babies less than four weeks old and research has shown that almost half of the babies are skinned alive" he said.
"Scientists and environmentalists also warn that the industry is a risk to biodiversity, threatening not only the survival of the seal species but also the survival of cod" he said.
"We are asking the Canadian Authorities for the immediate release of our friend and her fellow environmentalists and an end to the bloody seal trade" he concluded.
Lisa Shalom lived in Wellington and Auckland for several years where she was active in several peace, animal rights and environmental groups. Auckland Earth First! and other groups are planning solidarity protest in Auckland and Wellington on Monday.
For information on the seal hunt visit: http://www.seashepherd.org/seals/seals.html
For the latest Sea Shepherd news: http://www.seashepherd.org/news.html
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