From: Dan Spomer <dano@rockisland.com>
To: Makah Whaling Update List <makahwhaling@onenw.org>
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 9:24 PM
Subject: SEDNA Urgent News Advisory


>
>=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====
>
>URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
>May 11, 1999
>
>Sea Defense Alliance Activists
>Arraigned Tuesday at 1 p.m.
>In Clallam County Court
>
>PORT ANGELES, WA - Two anti-whaling activists from the environmental
>protection group Sea Defense Alliance will be arraigned at Clallam County
>Superior Court (223 East St.4th St) Tuesday at 1 p.m. on charges of
assault.
>
>Jacob Conroy and Joshua Harper, who were detained by U.S. Coast Guard
>vessels about 1 p.m. Monday on their 19-foot zodiac as it protested the
>whale hunt by the Makah, were moved about 11 p.m. Monday night to Clallam
>County Jail from the Neah Bay Coast Guard Station.
>
>Both activists said Tuesday they are not guilty, and have begun a hunger
>strike.
>
>Their attorney complained Monday night that the activists were being held
>illegally, and that their civil rights were being violated.
>
>"These Sea Defense Alliance activists only sought to protect the whales
>from Makah harpoons and their .50 caliber anti-tank gun," said Helga Kahr,
>a Seattle attorney for the Gray Whale Legal Action Team.
>
>Ms Kahr said that Makah made a "false report" to the Coast Guard that
>SeDnA crew, who are committed to nonviolence, aimed rifles at the Makah
>canoe. The Coast Guard search of SeDnA boats uncovered no weapons.
>
>Members of the Sea Defense Alliance, after patrolling the coastal waters
>early Tuesday, will be in court to testify to false claims by the Makah
>and the Coast Guard.
>*****