14 DAY TRIAL // This year's dolphin hunt in the town of Taiji in Japan has been getting a lot of bad publicity over the past few weeks. Still, more needs to be done to stress that this practice is inhumane and must therefore be put an end to without delay, green group Sea Shepherd seems to think.
Thus, the organization is now planning several demonstrations that are scheduled to take place this coming February 14 in several cities across the United States.
Since this date also happens to mark Valentine’s Day, Sea Shepherd has decided to name this latest protests against hunts in Taiji, Japan “World Love for Dolphins.”
On its website, the organization asks that everybody who cares about dolphins and does not approve of the slaughters that occur annually in said part of the world join conservationists and activists in paying a visit to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC.
Japanese consulates in other cities should also expect uninvited visitors.
“On February 14, 2014, Sea Shepherd USA chapters will be leading demonstrations at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. and Japanese consulates in cities across the country to stand in solidarity with the Cove Guardians in demanding an end to the bloodshed in Taiji,” Sea Shepherd writes.
“Sea Shepherd invites anyone who cares about dolphins to join us for peaceful ‘World Love for Dolphins Day’ demonstrations on Valentine’s Day to raise our voices for the dolphins. On a day meant to celebrate love, we will show Japan the love felt by the people of the world for dolphins,” it adds.
The organization is confident that, given how much media attention this year's dolphin hunt in Taiji has received, thousands of people will agree to take part in these demonstrations.
Those who, for some reason, cannot take part in the upcoming protests can still make a difference by sending a Valentine’s card to the Japanese Embassy.
Commenting on why the organization has chosen to plan these demonstrations so that they coincide with Valentine’s Day, Susan Hartland, the current administrative director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society US, stated as follows:
“Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to stand with Sea Shepherd at the Embassy and Consulates of Japan and tell the Japanese government that the world holds dolphins very near and dear to our hearts and we will not tolerate this brutal slaughter by a small group of men who are dishonoring Japan to sell dolphins to the captive industry.”