2024-10-23 15:36:00
Armed with signs reading “saving whales is not a crime”, more than a hundred people gathered in Paris on Wednesday to demand the release of environmental activist <a href="http://www.time.news/sea-shepherd-founder-paul-watson-arrested-in-greenland-amidst-ongoing-whaling-dispute-with-japan/" title="Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson Arrested in Greenland Amidst Ongoing Whaling Dispute with Japan”>Paul Watson, detained in Greenland and threatened with extradition to Japan.
Shortly before the announcement that the 73-year-old American-Canadian would be detained until November 13, protesters had gathered, at the call of Sea Shepherd France, in front of the city hall of the capital, of which Paul Watson was recently made an honorary citizen.
According to his defense, Paul Watson is on trial for “obstruction of a commercial activity” and accused of being jointly responsible for damage and injuries during clashes in the Southern Ocean in early 2010.
“We will not accept that Denmark”, on which the extradition procedure depends after the arrest of Paul Watson on July 21 in Greenland, “hands over a proud defender of whales, of biodiversity, of the oceans, to a State that openly protects criminals and illegal activity,” said Paul Blazy, coordinator of Sea Shepherd’s Paris group.
“Do not stain the honor of your country. Do not commit this injustice,” he told Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in front of protesters sometimes equipped with stuffed whales or hot air balloons.
“It is shameful that he is the one in prison while whales continue to be killed with total impunity and contrary to international conventions,” denounced Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, deputy mayor of Paris.
“It’s the least we can do, move for Paul,” Vanessa Vukicevic, who arrived with a sign reading “Japan guilty, Denmark complicit”, told AFP. The 49-year-old designer left the south of France, but “without much conviction” about her release on Wednesday.
Present at the meeting was the French singer Francis Lalanne, known in recent years above all for his anti-vax positions, who recently recorded a song in support of the founder of Sea Shepherd, with the participation of numerous French artists. This “tells”, he says, “Paul Watson’s message”: “defending whales means defending the planet”.
Another Paul Watson supporter, actress Brigitte Bardot, whose foundation was represented at the Paris meeting, urged the head of state on Tuesday to grant her political asylum.
“A little COURAGE, Mr President!!”, launched Brigitte Bardot in an autograph letter published on the social network.
In a letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron, dated October 4, Paul Watson requested political asylum in France, where he was living at the time of his arrest.
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