Events took place in Miami, Seattle, Las Vegas, New Hampshire and London, on March 31st & April 1st, 2017. The London event targeted Candover Investments, the largest UK investor in Parques Reunidos, whose US subsidiary Palace Entertainments operates Miami Seaquarium.
Campaigners demonstrated the strong public opposition to the conditions Lolita is living in and raised awareness as to Candover Investments’ involvement in the captivity industry. Parques Reunidos also holds cetaceans in captivity in Marineland (France), SeaLife Park (Hawaii), Mar del Plata (Argentina), and Selwo Marina (Spain).
Speakers: Margaux Dodds – Marine Connection, Dan Richardson – Patron Born Free, Clive Martin – Orca Rescues Foundation, Emily George – The Whale Bowl
Teamwork for the London event resulted in a creative and unique protest. Visual items included red hearts for our ‘Show your love for Lolita’ theme and four suited businessmen, wearing orca head masks made by T. Holmes, and carrying umbrellas with names of the companies who are involved in her confinement.
T-Shirt sales raised funds for Orca Network, Whale Sanctuary Project, and The WhaleBowl. Director Emily George and her team filmed and interviewed people at the event, and the funds raised for The Whale Bowl helped towards film distribution. This wonderfully artistic film went on to win many awards.
“Activists are making a splash in the Square Mile this afternoon with a march protesting against animal cruelty. The demo was carried out to draw attention to the plight of Lolita, a killer whale at the Miami Seaquarium.
Caitlin MorrisonDeputy digital editor at City A.M
The group is calling for Lolita to be freed and “safely transported to her home (Washington State) to retire and be cared for, free in her home waters, with the opportunity to rejoin her family”.
The activists disturbed City workers’ busy Friday afternoons with shouts of “Free Lolita”, whistles and a megaphone. Demonstrators handed out leaflets from the Orca Network calling on people to stop buying tickets to Lolita’s show in Miami.”
