The following is an exert from an e-mail that I received:
He has NEVER seen dolphins fight as hard as they did today, but sadly the fishermen won the day by slaughtering 8-10 Risso Dolphins, behind closed doors, hiding their acts.
As it became obvious that something different was happening, Scott had walked beyond the blocked areas to film what was happening, and for this the police took him into custody. He was put into the back of a police vehicle and taken to an interrogation room at the Taiji police station. In his wisdom, Scott refused to answer any questions, but instead insisted that the US embassy be called, and he was asked several times to talk.
It became apparent, from what his interpreter was telling him, that he was actually NOT under arrest, so he tried to leave, but was asked to remain. This information was repeated and confirmed by the interpreter the second time and Scott (having the law enforcement experience that he does) realised that they were not able to make him stay unless he was formally charged.
He got up and walked out!
When he asked about his daughter Elora, it would seem that the local police realised his concern, and in fact drove him back to the cove. Everyone had left to get back to the hotel, (to report) but a couple of the team from 'Save Japan Dolphins' were driving by, so gave him a ride.
from Scott West:
****
In my view, it would seem apparent that the fishermen chose to kill these dolphins today for a couple of reasons, primarily because if they left it until tomorrow, it was very likely that Scott, Elora, Lailani and others on the ground may have succeeded in capturing it all on film, and secondly because there have been thousands of people calling over the last 10 hrs or so, asking them NOT to kill the dolphins. Scott agrees.
In many ways I feel that this small group of fishermen chose to defy all protests, because they could.
It defies logic, it defies humanity, it is a blight on the Japanese government that they continue to allow this in this 21st century, BUT we must also remember that 'hating' the people is not the solution.
'Hating' the crime, yes!! But honestly, I know how much energy it takes to 'hate' and words are very, very powerful, so I would ask you all to try not to let this feeling in, but instead focus on the many things that we CAN do as a collective voice.
There is action happening in this crazy social networking world of ours, and a huge movement is taking place. IF we all choose to work TOGETHER as individuals and organizations, I honestly believe that stopping these heinous acts from continuing IS possible.
For detailed information please read Scott West's SSCS Blog
http://www.seashepherd.org/dolphins/report-from-taiji-october-15.html
I also highly recommend that you follow this young teenage activists blog (Scott's young daughter)
Elora's Blog
http://eloramalama.wordpress.com/
This is just so heart breaking for all of us who are so invested in saving the lives of these beautiful Cetaceans.
Taiji Whale Museum
011-81-73-559-2400
...Tokyo Imperial Palace
011-81-33-213-1111
......
Imperial Household Agency
1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-yu
Tokyo, Japan 100-8111
The suggestion to say is:
"I'm calling from _____. Please release the dolphins back into the ocean. Do not kill the dolphins. Do not eat the dolphins..they are toxic. I will continue to call until Taiji stops capturing, selling and killing dolphins. Thank you."
Some News Media email addresses (thanks to EsterJansen for sharing these)
to@newspapers.com, letters@theage.com.au, letters@globeandmail.com, letters@thetelegram.com, letters@wavemag.com.np, letters@the-sun.co.uk, president@nytimes.com, publisher@nytimes.com
We cannot let up pressure, please continue to phone, email and write your Japanese Ambassadors (contact details in previous posts). Please send letters to the President of Japan and To President Obama...please contact me if there is anything that I can help you locate.
Jackie Bigford
@JackiesBuzz
