51 years, all work and no play
LOLITA’S LOST TIME – ONLINE WORLDWIDE EVENT ORGANIZED & HOSTED BY UNTIL LOLITA IS HOME
Sunday, August 8th, 2021, marked the 51st anniversary of Lolita’s capture from the wild. She now swims in endless circles in the Miami Seaquarium, the smallest orca tank in North America.
51 years ago, Lolita’s life changed forever
Once free, Lolita is without her family, without the feeling of the changing seasons, without the turning of the tides. Unable to swim great distances, unable to catch fish. She has had everything taken away from her, everything but her strength and determination.
51 years. What have you done in that time?
This year’s virtual event focused on time, 51 years. That’s 612 months, 2661 weeks, 18,628 days, 447,072 hours, 26,824,320 minutes, 1,609,459,200 seconds. Think of all your life experiences while Lolita has circled her tiny barren tank. Where have you been? What have you learned? What have you seen? What have you done?
A giant wave across social media
Compassionate people worldwide advocated for Lolita using our online actions that covered all social media platforms. These included signs to take selfies and videos with and share, which proved to be very successful, a Facebook profile frame used by thousands, a tweetstorm with over 150k exposure, educational videos widely reposted over the web, and graphics for awareness. Our goal was to flood social media with her name and to tell her heartbreaking story. Every action taken to share Lolita’s story makes a difference. It is the least we can do. Together, we are #United4Lolita
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On reflection
One of Until Lolita is Home’s goals was to reach out to people unaware of Lolita, along with hopefully changing the minds of those who believe that captivity is fine, or at least make them think. Using ‘time’ as the theme and asking people to think about what they have done during Lolita’s confinement seemed to hit home; we read some incredibly moving comments. When people can relate to an animal, they make a connection; and a light switches on.
In the weeks leading up to August 8th and on the day itself, hundreds of new faces joined our movement and the campaign for Lolita. Our social media stats were incredible; we also put effort into Instagram posts which proved to be equally beneficial in reaching a wider audience. Onwards we go. Please say no to captivity, don’t buy a ticket, join the fight to help those who desperately need our voices. Thank you. Jo – Until Lolita is Home.
”“For my entire life she has been stuck in that tiny pool. I was able to grow up with my family and have them raise me and guide me into adulthood. In my 45 years I’ve been able to travel and enjoy a life filled with love and amazing relationships. All of these things Lolita was robbed of 51 years ago.”
A. Haffner
”'This really hit home. I’m 51. All the things I have done in my life and she has been languishing in a revolting prison. It’s absolutely disgraceful. I honestly don’t know how/why people would pay to go to these hideous places?!"
N. Jane
”As I celebrate my 51st wedding anniversary, this really put this into perspective, made it tangible. During that time, I have had 2 children, 3 grandchildren, lived in 4 countries, and visited every continent. Meanwhile, Lolita has swum in endless circles, deprived of everything she should have experienced in the wild, all for man’s greed. Truly heartbreaking.”
G. Greenland
”"I have lived a full life for 49 years. So unlike this poor girl held all these years in that tiny tank. I've had freedom and choices - I have seen the world. What has Lolita seen and done? Heartbreaking."
S. Greatorex
Join the Until Lolita is Home Movement
Until Lolita is Home is a grassroots movement that advocates for the retirement of Lolita the orca from the Miami Seaquarium. By raising awareness about Lolita (and ALL cetaceans in captivity) we hope one day Tokitae (her original name) will see her home waters again. We are an all- volunteer group with members located around the world.
Starting in May 2015, Until Lolita is Home (formerly Shut Down Palace) hosted rallies at dozens of locations in the United States and abroad, including the Miami Seaquarium and numerous other Palace Entertainment-owned sites. These events received worldwide coverage and pushed Palace Entertainment to release their first statement EVER regarding Lolita since they purchased the Miami Seaquarium.
Header photo by Maïlou Lemaire. Graphics, including Until Lolita Is Home logo and poster designs belong to Until Lolita Is Home. They should not be sold, edited in any way, or used for other campaigns before asking permission.
