California bans SeaWorld from breeding whales in captivity
- Text by Sam Warner
Animal welfare activists have won a huge victory and dealt a major blow to SeaWorld as the California Coastal Commission has barred the theme park attraction from breeding whales in captivity. However, another bill introduced in California that would make it illegal to keep orcas in captivity, called the Orca Welfare and Safety bill, has been delayed.
Nevertheless, it is encouraging news for former Z-Boys rider and whale activist Peggy Oki who has launched a new campaign to free orca Lolita in Miami. Oki has devoted much of her career to protecting whales and heads up the Origami Whales Project. The group has released a new video describing the story of Lolita, the only orca at Miami Seaquarium, to mark 45 years since her capture.
The 16,425 Days A Slave! campaign has been created by Oki and the video features her inhabiting the role of Lolita, using prompt cards to describe how Lolita was separated from her family in the Penn Cove massacre of 1970.
Peggy’s campaign aims to collect 16,425 letters from the public, one to mark each day in the 45 years since Lolita’s capture up to August 8th, to be sent to the owners of Miami Seaquarium. The ultimate aim is for Lolita to be released back into the ocean, which she hasn’t seen since 1970, and be reunited with her 86-year-old mother, Ocean Sun.
Head over to Origami Whale Project to find out more.
You might like
A stark, confronting window into the global cocaine trade
Sangre Blanca — Mads Nissen’s new book is a close-up look at various stages of the drug’s journey, from production to consumption, and the violence that follows wherever it goes.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Venice Biennale will not award artists from Israel & Russia due to war crime accusations
Art Not Genocide — Both countries will still be allowed to exhibit work at their respective pavilions, but be excluded from judging considerations, as they have leaders facing arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
Written by: Noah Petersons
Confronting America’s history of violence against student protest
Through A Mirror, Darkly — In May 1970, two separate massacres at American college campuses saw deaths at the hands of the state. Naeem Mohaiemen’s new three-channel film memorialises the brutality.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kneecap, Brian Eno, Erika de Casier sign Eurovision boycott letter protesting Israel’s involvement
No Music For Genocide — It calls upon the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel from the upcoming competition, which is set to take place in Vienna between May 12 and May 14. Other signatories include Massive Attack, Hot Chip and Nadine Shah.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
“Madness can be overcome”: Robert Del Naja releases statement after Palestine Action arrest
“Small price to pay” — The Massive Attack frontman was one of more than 500 people detained on Saturday on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, a group that has been banned under the Terrorism Act 2000 by the UK government.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Defiant photos of New York’s ’80s & ’90s queer activists
Arresting Images — Dona Ann McAdams’ photographs document the AIDS crisis, lesbian organising and civil disobedience from one of the most fraught eras in American LGBTQ+ history. A sale of her archive takes place later this month.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
