=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====

SEA DEFENSE ALLIANCE CONDEMNS
COAST GUARD FOR WHALE KILL,
SETS JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE
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May 17, 1999
NEAH BAY, WA -

Anti-whaling activists from Sea Defense Alliance and Sea
Shepherd, stunned by the murder of a gray whale earlier Monday, have
called a joint news conference for 2:30 Monday afternoon at Olsen's Marina
in Sekiu.

Sea Defense Alliance's Jonathan Paul said the Sea Shepherd's "Sirenian" is
steaming toward Sekiu, and expects to dock about 1:30 p.m.

Earlier Monday, Paul blamed the killing of the gray whale by the Makah
hunters on the harassment of demonstrators by the Coast Guard and its
seizure of protest boats, including both vessels in the SEDNA fleet.

"This is an unhappy day, for the whales and for the planet. We will
continue the struggle," added Paul, who said Sea Defense Alliance and Sea
Shepherd activists had stayed up all night to try and get replacement boats.

"We dedicate the (killing) of the whale to Al Gore, and the corrupt
politicians who allowed this to happen," Paul said.

Two Sea Defense Alliance activists arrested last week will attend a rally
at the Seattle Federal Building at 7 p.m. later Monday night.
*****