Each year from September until March, hundreds of dolphins are deliberately hunted and killed in Taiji, Japan. Some are slaughtered for their meat while others are caught for a life of captivity. Their methods are internationally condemned as being brutally cruel.
dolphinproject.com
Social Media Campaign
Japan Dolphins Day, London 2016
Promo videos for Japan Dolphins Day 2016 – First Published: 1st & 13th August 2016
“Sometimes you don’t have to be “great”, you don’t have to be the “best”, you don’t have to be the “loudest”….you just have to show up, be present, stand with ones with a similar mind. I really believe this is phenomenal. No gesture is too small, no voice irrelevant. It isn’t about “following”, it is about being “a part of”. That’s my opinion anyhow. Big love and Peace to the Big Blue.” – Vicki Kiely, Dolphin Project Cove Monitor
Credits: Radiohead, Dolphin Project, Martyn Stewart
Japan Dolphins Day – September 1 – London
Hundreds marched through central London to the Japanese Embassy. People travelled from far and wide to show up on this very important day. Speeches were given by Dominic Dyer – policy advisor to Born Free, Ric O’Barry – founder of Dolphin Project and Martyn Stewart, BBC sound man, activist and filmmaker. We were also joined by U.S.A racing car driver and environmental activist Leilani Münter and cyclist Ollie Blackmore.
(c) C. Kempen
This image is so important to me, and I’d like to share this little story with you.
A lady travelled from New Mexico to attend the event; at the end of the day, she presented me with me a bronze dolphin she’d made. Well, you can imagine the tears and emotions! It’s quite apparent that I look exhausted as I take the photos and videos, so probably do about three marches in one as I’m forever running up a down! I was also struggling with a heartbreaking personal loss, which was very difficult and still is. It was so lovely of her, and I can’t seem to find the words to thank her enough.
I was also given a silver dolphin necklace by Tia Butt and Nicole Venter for my campaign work; I was so touched. Later on, we went along to Ric O’Barry’s Achievement Award evening, which was once again incredibly emotional! I shall never forget this day, it was a struggle, but I did it for the dolphins and for my Bil, who I carry with me every single day.
(c) C. Kempen
(c) Jo Phillips
Articles
- Humans and dolphins are so similar – when will we stop persecuting them? – by Philip Hoare.
- The Power Of Presence: Turn Up In London For The Killing Cove Dolphins – by Sam Lipman.