As the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in St Kitts concluded its proceedings today, a peaceful protest carried out by Greenpeace was abruptly broken up by the authorities, who arrested ten activists and ship crew from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The protestors were attempting to highlight the number of whales killed during the last whaling season in the so-called Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary. (…) “To have arrests happen over a peaceful protest is ludicrous – the real safety issues are on the high-seas where whales are under threat and are being killed on an on-going basis,” said Mike Townsley, Greenpeace International spokesperson. “It’s about time the IWC and nations of the world take heed and realise that this slaughter cannot continue. Greenpeace is on the side of good by protecting whales and the environment they live in.
“Greenpeace is a peaceful protest organisation and we will return to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary later this year, where we will continue to defend the 935 minke whales and ten fin whales which are the target of the Fisheries Agency of Japan’s grenade tipped harpoons,” concluded Townsley. (read more here)
Read also Mike Townsley report from prison:
PART I (Sleepless in Smack Down)
PART II (Come back soon)