DAY 3 - Two protesters now caged for 50 hours!

Two protesters, who locked themselves inside a 4' x 7' metal cage outside the Vancouver Public Aquarium on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 AM, have now spent 50 hours in captivity, including two cold and windy nights.

From inside the cage, John Maté and Yvon Raoul continue to demand that Mayor Philip Owen and City Councillors include a whale referendum question in the next civic elections in Vancouver.

"At no cost to Vancouver taxpayers or to the Aquarium, a whale referendum would allow voters to have a decisive say on whether to phase out the whale exhibits in Stanley Park." said Mr. Maté.

Despite the overwhelming public opposition to the importation of more whales and dolphins, the Aquarium plans to bring another orca whale into
Stanley Park. The Park Board and City Hall have received numerous requests from groups and citizens who would like to address the boards on this issue. Up till now, they have refused to grant the public an audience to allow Vancouverites to request a whale referendum.

"We urge the Mayor and City Council to allow democracy to take its course on this important and unique moral issue that has plagued our city for over 35 years." said Mr. Raoul, a popular teacher in Kitsilano High School judging by the amount of students, parents and teachers who have come to lend their support to the humans kept in captivity outside the Aquarium doors.

A third protester, Ms. Georgina Pereira, has now joined Mr. Maté and Mr. Raoul inside the small cage.

Round-the-clock caged protest continues...

For more information contact:

John Maté
Whale Friends Project
Cellular inside the cage: 306-1612