London Calling! Let’s Make This the Largest Demo in Dolphin History!

On November 7, 2014, we hope to make history but we need your help. We want the largest number of people ever gathered in one place — for the dolphins. That place is outside of the Japanese Embassy in Piccadilly, London, where we will make our voices heard for the dolphins and whales of Taiji, Japan.

The Taiji dolphin drives are conducted between Sept and March every year and involve several different species of dolphin. Combined with the harpoon season which targets other small whales such as the Dall’s porpoise, the Japanese Government has authorized fishermen to kill or capture almost 16,000 cetaceans — just this year alone.

But there is a much darker side to the dolphin drives that preserves this industry — marine parks. Taiji dolphins are sold to aquaria around the world for large sums of money. Aquaria profit from selling dolphin shows, dolphin-assisted therapy and swim-with-the dolphins programs to an unsuspecting public, unaware of their contribution to this supply and demand trade.

It is time for the world to hear our collective voices, but we can only accomplish this together. To show how crucial unity is for this project, Ric O’Barry will travel to London and stand by your side at the embassy — no matter the banner you carry.

This demo is for all Animal Rights Activists regardless of affiliation. We need everybody to show up and encourage others to do the same. This is the concept that Japan Dolphins Day was based upon, everyone coming together for the dolphins as one.   – Ric O’Barry

The protest will begin outside of the Japanese Embassy, 101-104 Piccadilly, W1J 7JT London, United Kingdom, at Noon on Friday, November 7th, and will conclude at 6 p.m. (UTC).

You will be be able to watch the demo worldwide on the Dolphin Project Live Stream

On Thursday November 6th — from 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (UTC), join us for a special screening of “The Cove” movie at Number 90 Bar Restaurant, 90 Main Yard, Wallis Road, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LN.

The screening will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Ric will be in attendance along with four Taiji Cove Monitors from his Dolphin Project. Ric will host a press conference after the movie followed by TBoy & Scott Dickie (Widlkats / You are we) DJ sets. Further information on attending the screening is available here. The Screening is SOLD OUT.

Organizers of the London protest will market this event to its fullest extent. One thousand posters and 10,000 flyers have already been created and are now being circulated throughout the UK. The demo is being advertised on Facebook and through other online advertising and media sources.

The community response so far has been incredible. DJ’s, producers, world pro-surfers, celebrities, international supermodels and music promoters have jumped on board alongside animal activists and the rest of the community.

The ethos of the organizers is to promote the cause through peace, love and creativity, using their contacts within the creative industry throughout London and by involving the community as much as possible in the organization of this event.

Live art will take place on the day and will feature up-and-coming London artists such as Anna Laurini and Hunto. Both have generously offered to auction off their pieces after the event and donate 50 % of the profit to Dolphin Project.

For further details on the demonstration, visit the Facebook Event Page or e-mail event organizers with questions.

This demonstration will serve as an educational stage for the public and will place the Japanese Government on notice. We are not going away until this stops. We will be heard, and we firmly believe that London is the perfect city to let them know. London is calling! Please, bring your banners, bring your voices and network, network, network. We hope to see every NGO represented at this event — it’s past time to stop this!