===== A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list ===== FROM WASHINGTON CITIZEN'S COASTAL ALLIANCE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- A RAY OF HOPE -------------------------- The WCCA just learned that a massive, Seattle-based legal effort has been launched to halt the ongoing Makah whale killings. We are attempting to get information as quickly as we can, but at present can report that this legal challenge has the potential to stop the Makah murderers in their tracks. WE WILL UPDATE YOU THE MINUTE WE GET FULL DETAILS ON THIS ACTION! For now, we ask that you spread the word to ALL that this effort may require a substantial financial commitment from those of us dedicated to stopping the killing. PLEASE spread the word, and direct all inquiries back to our e-mail address. THIS LEGAL CHALLENGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO STOP THE NEAH BAY WHALE KILLERS FOREVER! ***** KEEP THE PRESSURE ON! ------------------------------------------ Your calls, letters and e-mails to politicians and agencies are having a noticeable effect! Inquiries from the WCCA indicate that in some offices, switchboards are being overloaded and extra personnel are required to handle the calls. With that in mind, we are asking you to KEEP THE CALLS COMING! Bottom line: Politicians understand numbers. The more calls they receive, the more likely they will be inspired to act on behalf of the people who pay their salaries- US! We must all make this an issue they can not ignore! We refuse to allow the Makah atrocity to be put on the back page and forgotten. Keep the pressure on- and tell them the WCCA sent you! To contact your representative and senator, please follow these links: http://www.hsus.org/forms/search_reps.html or http://www.berkshire.net/~ifas/activist or http://www.popularis.com ***** PEACEFUL PROTEST THIS COMING SATURDAY -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Peninsula Citizens for the Protection of Whales will hold a peaceful road demonstration this coming Saturday, May 22. The PCPW and other protest groups invite all of you to come join them in displaying the outrage and sorrow that so many of us feel. Please take a day to demonstrate your feelings about the Makah whalers killing a juvenile gray whale. All groups and citizens will meet at Olson's Resort in Sekiu, WA at noon this coming Saturday. Chuck Owens, head of the PCPW, states that his group is looking forward to meeting you all! Contact Chuck Owens at (360) 928-3048. ***** REPOSTED BY REQUEST- FOR YOUR CHILDREN ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have had a significant number of people contact us with stories of how the Makah whale hunt media coverage has traumatized their children. For a "child safe" web-site on gray whales and the tragedy we have witnessed, we highly recommend: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/1953/index.html Other good sites to visit: http://www.safepassing.org http://www.geocities.com/~d-m-forbes In addition, we would encourage you to share your feelings about the Makah tribe's effect on your travel plans to (or within) Washington with the Washington State Tourism Division at http://www.tourism.wa.gov/ ***** COAST GUARD ON FULL ALERT -------------------------------------------------- Thousands of U.S. Coast Guard personnel in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho remain on heightened-security status. Gino Burns of the Coast Guard station in Seattle likened the continuing alert status of 2,375 personnel to the Kosovo and Iraq crises. The alert was initiated by at least three telephone threats related to Monday’s Makah Indian tribe whale kill south of Cape Flattery. The Peninsula Daily News reports calls were made to Coast Guard stations in George, Seattle and Neah Bay. Burns said at least one threatening caller said Monday that for every whale killed, two people would be killed - one member of the Coast Guard and one Makah tribal member. (KOMO-TV) ***** VIGIL HELD IN PORTLAND, OREGON ------------------------------------------------------ In downtown Portland last night, nearly 40 activists lit candles and gathered in a solemn circle at a to mourn the death of the gray whale harpooned by Makah Indians and butchered on a beach at Washington's Neah Bay. Vigil organizer Andrea Bauch said they were gathered to show the whale the respect it deserves. (Northwest Cable News) ***** FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES --------------------------------------------- AFTER THE HUNT: BITTER PROTEST AND BLUBBER May 19, 1999 "Some jubilant Makah Indians feasted on the blubber and raw whale meat and declared themselves spiritually transported back in time. Others spat the meat out onto the beach or struggled to wash it down with that most traditional of beverages, Coca-Cola. Protesters called, "Shame on you!" from boats huddled out in the coastal fog of Neah Bay..." ***** LINK TO IWC DOCUMENT --------------------------------------- Many of you have asked to see the actual IWC letter in which they clearly do NOT grant permission to the Makah regarding their illegal whale killing activity. The link below will take you to the document: http://www2.seashepherd.org/orgs/sscs/wh/us/mkillegal.html Additionally, the following link will take you to the documents clearly showing the Makah intent to resume commerical whaling: http://www2.seashepherd.org/orgs/sscs/wh/us/mkfoi95.html ***** CANADIAN FIRST NATIONS SPEAK OUT ------------------------------------------------------------- First Nations Environmental Network VOICES FOR MOTHER EARTH May l8th, 1999 PRESS RELEASE Re: The Killing of a Grey Whale by Makah at Neah Bay, Washington, U.S.A. on May 17th, 1999. NOT ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SUPPORT MAKAH WHALING We are deeply concerned and saddened by the killing of a whale at Neah Bay, Washington by members of the Makah Nation. . There are many implications involved in this and we cannot support this action due to the following: . 1) The International Whaling Commission meets this month to determine what is acceptable globally to the world's whale populations and this will have a negative impact on their decision. . 2) Japan, Norway, Iceland and other countries are working towards getting commercial whaling approved once again. The Japanese have been lobbying First Nations Peoples on the West Coast and around the world to open the door on "cultural whaling'' which they also claim as a "right". . 3) The Makah Nation is divided within, with many elders and others speaking against this "return to Traditional practices" and their voices are being ignored and suppressed. . 4) While we respect Treaty Rights, this is political reason being used for killing and not a true meaning of need when it comes to the taking of another being's life. Using Treaty Rights in this way may set dangerous precedents. . At this point in human history, we feel that spiritually and morally, the act of killing whales cannot be justified. For All Our Relations . Steve Lawson . FNEN Representative on West Coast P.O. Box 394, Tofino, B.C. VOR 2Z0 Email: councilfire@hotmail.com Ph: 250 725-2996 or 726-8334 Fax: 250 725-2527 ***** LAST ITEM ---------------- "...Members of the crew raised their arms in victory and participated in a traditional prayer before making calls on their cellphones..." (Globe and Mail, Canada) *****