Over 400 protesters are set to march, dressed in black, to the Japanese Consulate in Heerengracht Street today for the second time in 30 days, demanding an end to the brutal and illegal hunting of cetaceans around the world.
In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) enacted a moratorium on all commercial whaling. Since then, three nations – Iceland, Norway, and Japan – have slaughtered over 25 000 whales.
In June this year – during the IWC meeting in Morocco – Japan, Norway and Iceland lobbied for the lifting of the whaling moratorium, which was denied. Despite the IWC’s decision, Japan continues to hunt whales under the guise of scientific research, which leads to the commercial sale of whale meat and has to be published in an internationally recognised scientific journal.
November 5 is the international day of demonstration against whaling because it is when Japan officially opens their whaling season.
Through Facebook, the initial idea of a small, localised protest in Philadelphia turned into a worldwide event, with groups being formed in several countries, from the USA to New Zealand, from Portugal to Japan.
Each country is to protest peacefully, yet is free to add a local flavour to proceedings, capitalising on local media exposure. Many organisers are choosing to parade peacefully through key areas of their cities, demonstrating in front of Japanese embassies, consulates or official delegations.
To learn more about this protest and Worldwide Anti-Whaling Day, visit www.wwawd.org.
View the Facebook event here.
