A protest against SeaWorld has been organized for January 19th. It will be held from 10 am to 1pm at 500 SeaWorld Drive. Participants are being asked to wear black or black and white by the organizers.
Organizers claim that the protest will go on “until the tanks are empty”. According to the press release by the organizers:
$ea World confines whales and dolphins—that often swim up to 100 miles a day in the wild in tanks the size of a bathtub.
$ea World presents itself as a family establishment full of fun activities. However, these “fun activities” harm animals physically and emotionally.
We will meet at the corner of $ea World Drive and $ea World Way.
Parking: For parking, turn onto S. Shores Park off Friars Rd and park in the boat ramp lot then walk up about half a mile to demo location on $ea World Drive and $ea World Way.
For more info, contact Ellen Ericksen @ 760-408-4539 or ellenericksen@gmail.com
Then later that same day, organizers are planning a protest against South West Airlines. Here is what organizers state:
Do you support cramming whales and dolphins into tanks equivalent in size to a tiny bathtub for their entire lives? Southwest Airlines does. In fact, Southwest has been a cheerleader for horrific animal cruelty for 25 years through its pitiful partnership with SeaWorld, where dolphins, orcas, and other aquatic animals spend their entire miserable lives in captivity.
Critically-acclaimed documentary Blackfish recently exposed SeaWorld’s long history of abusing animals and covering up injuries. Following a massive public outcry, a long and growing list of musicians, including Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, Heart, and REO Speedwagon, have cut ties with SeaWorld for its horrific animal abuse. It’s high time Southwest Airlines show some love for animals by ending its abusive relationship with SeaWorld.
For over 25 years, Southwest Airlines has been a partner with SeaWorld in confining whales and dolphins—who often swim up to 100 miles a day in the wild—to tanks that, to them, are the size of a bathtub. Many animals have died prematurely at SeaWorld after swimming in endless circles and performing silly tricks for humans.
Southwest Airlines has the power and the ethical responsibility to help prevent animal cruelty by ending this dangerous partnership with SeaWorld. Please join at San Diego International Airport– Southwest Airline’s hub @ Terminal 1 – as we tell Southwest execs to dump SeaWorld!
The protest will be at the San Diego airport, at Southwest Airlines, Terminal 1 – 3225 North Harbor Dr.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
While we’re at it, why is a significant road leading into OB from the 5 called $eaWorld Drive anyway? Do they own it? Pay for its upkeep?
How about a petition to the city to change the name and instead honor a local oceanographer? Maybe change it to Save the Whales Drive!
Sea world make millions of dollars because of their Killer whale shows and uses it to save other animals. The whales can just suffer through it. It is fun watch. Lolololo. Sucks to be a whale at sea world. It is especially funny to watch an apex predator dance in a circle.
Unfortunately sea world has always marginalised complaints of animal activity by saying protestors are extreme animal activists, which alienates the message reaching the broader public. I’m no animal activist, and I’m scared of pets, but it took just one image of the whales and dolphins being kidnapped and lifted out of the sea to feel moved to say this is uncool, and inhumane. At least educate yourself and others about how the animals came to be obtained by sea world and others to see the true cost of captivity.
Me thinks we have greater concerns as a populace then Sea World. As most of their visitors are foreign, they will not feel any real pain from a protest. All these protestors should take some of that energy and turn it toward other San Diego problems IMHO.
Caring about one issue doesn’t take away caring about another. This isn’t a question San Diego alone, it’s the question whether it’s ok to have animal captivity for entertainment shows. It would be interesting to know your opinion to get a sense of where the public is.
Good point, thank you.
I grew up here, studied sharks there privately as a child, made many trips, was a member, attended Bar Mitzvahs, school events there etc. I loved it. Now it is cost prohibitive to me.
As to the animals in captivity, I am in the middle of the fence on that. Exposing people to animals, plants, attractions etc they would never otherwise see fosters interest and creativity in the zoological world, at the cost of freedom of movement for the subjects in captivity. I also feel that since mankind has “evolved” to the top of the food chain, that zoos, circuses etc are a natural extension of that desire to “wrangle” in nature.
How do you know most are foreign? So many schools do day trips here. Not to mention summer camps. The kids think it’s great and mostly for the rides.
Me thinks it’s a great local cause to get involved in… a flashback to OBGO days.
It you have a cause you are passionate about go for it but no need to knock the efforts of others IMO.
I prepared a business document for a current employee of SeaWorld this week, and we discussed the park, its visitors, it’s changing culture, and other relevant topics related to this.
I don’t think my humble opinion was really “knocking” them, I think we have bigger problems than zoos and animal attractions facing us as Americans. But I also see how people prioritize “problems” subjectively.
I tend to agree objamie, but at the same time, let’s not muddy the waters… There is a difference between a place like the sd zoo (non profit, research and education are cornerstones rather than rides, tricks, and money making) and a place like sea world. It’s not fair to group $eaworld in with actual zoological societies with real missions to help the earth as a whole. $eaworld is there for one thing.. $$$$$$, they don’t care who has to die to get it, animal or trainer. Don’t mix $eaworld with legitimate places, because they are not. Kind of funny, I feel like you are a sea world rep, lol
Sea world represents private corporate greed and abuse hiding under the umbrella of scientific research to control public resources in mission bay park; I should think a perfect examples of what is wrong with our sell-out system…. And how it is breaking down….
And why now is the time to act with your voice and your vote!
Sooooo wish I could be there for this, I’m Phoenix so logistically not possible. I hope you get lots of people to attend this one! I will be with you in spirit.
Really wish I could attend all the protests but I live in Sacramento. Have a great turn out! And 30+ people that I know stand with you all In heart!! Free the whales and dolphins at sea world!!!
Hello,
I was so moved by the movie “Blackish” I cried for days. I want to try everything in my power to get these establishments closed down, not only in America but all the others around the world. I want change! We need to fight to have a International law to allocate fines and punishments for abusing these beautiful sea creatures. People need to be educated the right way about whales not lied to. Please let me know about the next protest and I will drive from Phoenix to stand up for what is right.
Thank you, Kelly