Maria Daines
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4/13/2006 9:06:37 PM
Seal hunt mob prevents peaceful observation
I'm posting this news because it's outrageous that peaceful observers are being treated in this way, please visit www.ProtectSeals.org
thanks, Maria xx
HSUS SEAL WATCH TEAM UNDER SIEGE IN CANADA—MOB PREVENTS OBSERVATION OF SEAL HUNT
BLANC SABLON, QUEBEC (April 13, 2006) – The Humane Society of the United States and the Franz Weber Foundation seal hunt observation team, along with a member of the European Parliament and several independent journalists, are currently under threat of physical violence and have taken refuge in their rooms at the Four Seasons Inn. A growing mob estimated at nearly 60 people has gathered outside the hotel and is refusing to let the team leave. Earlier this morning, while attempting to drive to their helicopters, a car containing team members and four journalists was run off the road into a ditch. The vehicle sustained damage but there were no injuries.
HSUS officials have placed calls to the American State Department, the American Embassy and the local police. There are currently only two police officers at the inn.
“We are appalled by these violent tactics used by the local citizens in an attempt to prevent our team from documenting the cruelty of the seal hunt,” said Dr. John Grandy, HSUS senior vice president. “Our team is there as peaceful observers and they should not have to fear for their safety. This is the second incident where the team has been physically placed in danger—the first time was during the Gulf hunt when their boat was rammed by a sealing vessel.”
Grandy continued: “We cannot understand why the Canadian government is allowing these people to break the law and endanger lives but revoking our team members’ permits and infringing on their rights. This is a terrible injustice and Canada should be ashamed.”
“After all, the tragedy here is the cruel slaughter of the seals and having sealers try to hide it from the world only compounds the grievous wrongs,” Grandy said.
For more information on The HSUS ProtectSeals campaign, please visit www.ProtectSeals.org.
Broadcast quality footage and high resolution photos of this year’s seal hunt are available to media outlets via an ftp site. Please contact Tracey McIntire, 301-548-7793, tmcintire@hsus.org for details.
CONTACT: Tracey McIntire, 301-548-7793, tmcintire@hsus.org
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