Saturday, September 14, 2013

MARINELAND IN DEPTH


Thursday, September 12, 2013



BREAKING Dr. Naomi Rose to attend Niagara Screening of Blackfish



DR. NAOMI ROSE & SAMANTHA BERG
Blackfish organizers are proud to announce that highly respected marine biologist Dr. Naomi Rose, of the Animal Welfare Institute will be attending the Niagara screening of Blackfish on September 27th in St. Catharines. 

Dr. Rose has worked tirelessly on international marine mammal protection issues around the world. Her areas of expertise include whaling, whale and dolphin watching and marine ecotourism, the dolphin-safe tuna label, marine sanctuaries, acoustic harassment, captive marine mammals (including swim-with-the-dolphin programs), the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the sport hunting of polar bears, as well as the protection of walruses, seals, sea lions, manatees, dugongs and sea otters. 

Dr. Rose is no stranger to the issues surrounding Marineland Canada and in previous visits has worked with groups such as Zoocheck Canada to highlight the woeful conditions animals endure at this facility. Recently Dr. Rose was featured as one of the main protagonists in David Kirby’s best selling book Death at Seaworld.

It is an honour to have Dr. Rose as well as former Seaworld trainer and anti captivity activist Samantha Berg together in attendance for a Q&A session following the historic screening of Blackfish in Niagara.
at 5:21 PM 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

An Open Letter to Niagara Area Politicians RE: Blackfish
UPDATE: Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati has declined this invitation as he will be out of the country on city business during this date and unable to attend. Alternative arrangements to view the film have been offered. 

This letter has been sent to all members of Niagara Falls City Council, MP's Rob Nicholson, Rick Dykstra, MPP's Kim Craitor, Cindy Forster & Jim Bradley.



Hello,
As you are aware the topic of marine mammal captivity has often been quite controversial here in the Niagara Region for many years.  Among your constituents there are those that are extremely concerned about the care of animals at Marineland or do not believe marine mammals belong in captivity at such a facility at all.  There are others who choose to support this local business that is also part of the important tourism economy.
In making one's mind up about an important topic the key is to understand and engage with both sides to get a full and fair grasp of the issue.  We feel, for many years that the captive marine mammal industry has controlled most of the message about captivity to the public.  On a local level it is often felt by many that because they are a business Marineland is often afforded the advantage of having their concerns heard above the voices that oppose their practises.
We are bringing the blockbuster documentary Blackfish to Niagara to make people aware there is another side of the captive marine mammal industry.  While this film primarily discusses Seaworld, their business strategy and tactics are virtually identical to those used by Marineland and the industry as a whole.  Viewing this film will allow you to go beyond all the fuzzy TV & radio commercials and experience what truly happens when you bring wild marine mammals into captivity for the sake of profit.  While you may not agree with everything that is in this film it will at least make you aware of many things you might not have thought about.
We would like to extend an invitation to the Mayor of Niagara Falls, all members of Niagara Falls City Council and all Niagara area MP's and MPP's to be our guests at the screening of this film.  We are offering a nonpartisan hostile-free environment for an enjoyable evening of film. It is our hope you will come away with a better understanding of what many of your constituents have expressed deep concern about.
Please RSVP no later than September 20th 2013 to reserve your tickets:
blackfishniagara@gmail.com
A reminder the screening will be held Sept 27th at 7pm at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Auditorium in St. Catharines.
 Sincerely,
Blackfish Niagara Organizers
at 11:42 AM 


Friday, September 6, 2013




Niagara Screening of Blackfish





The  blockbuster documentary of the summer BLACKFISH will be screened exclusively in Niagara on Friday September 27th.




The film screening will be part of a fundraising event for the legal defense fund for the Marineland Whistleblowers who are all currently facing SLAPP lawsuits by the captive marine mammal park.

BLACKFISH focuses on the captivity of the killer whale Tilikum, who was involved in the deaths of three individuals and the consequences of keeping such large and intelligent animals in captivity.  The film has played to sold out audiences around the world and garnered rave reviews and will have an immediate impact in the Niagara area where it will be screened for the first time ever in close proximity to Marineland.

Joining us at this event for a Q&A session after the film with Samantha Berg & Dr. Naomi Rose.

Samantha Berg is a former Seaworld trainer featured in the film and is now an anti captivity activist working towards spreading public awareness about marine mammal captivity.

Dr. Rose is a highly respected marine biologist who for years has worked on marine mammal protection issues around the world. She is one of the main protagonists in the recent best seller Death at Seaworld by David Kirby

This exclusive one night only event will be held Friday September 27th @ 7pm
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Auditorium at 101 Glen Morris Dr. in St. Catharines.

Tickets are on sale for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW:
Rise Above Restaurant at 120 St. Paul St. in St. Catharines

For EVENT UPDATES Please check out the Facebook event page or check back here.



Sunday, September 1, 2013

Marineland Advertises Orcas That Don't Exist

PHOTO BY TED TRAVER

While we are on the subject of the Marineland billboard located at the intersection of Fallsview Blvd. and Main St. in the city of Niagara Falls, you'll notice a little false advertising.  The billboard shows three orcas while Marineland hasn't had that many Killer Whales in years.  Kiska is the last remaining orca at Marineland and the highly social orca has been alone for almost two years.  Her longtime tank mate Nootka died in 2008 and in 2011 Seaworld repossessed their orca Ikaika after terminating a breeding loan and fighting Marineland in a lengthy court battle.


Not only does the billboard mislead people about the animal attractions at the park but a closer inspection shows it is in decrepit condition.  The orcas, presumably made of some kind of metal are rusting and have peeling paint. They appear to be precariously attached to the billboard with loose or missing bolts and feature holes near their attachments.  It seems like a severe gust of wind could send those fictitious orcas falling into the busy intersection and traffic.  Ironically the dilapidated condition of the billboard accurately reflects the conditions tourists might encounter when visiting the park itself.
at 11:23 PM 1 comment: 
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook

Labels: advertising, billboard, fallsview, niagara falls
Saturday, August 31, 2013

Infamous Marineland Billboard the Scene of Protest Action

With the city council of Niagara Falls recently handing over more public land to Marineland, activists working to oppose the captive marine mammal park are bringing their fight to the city itself.  Six activists took over a street corner in the busy Fallsview tourist district Saturday afternoon.

Under the very shadow of the dilapidated sculpted orcas affixed to the "Let's all go to Marineland" billboard, advocates handed out hundreds of leaflets to citizens and tourists making their way through the area during the Labour Day long weekend.


Many stopped to read and discuss the information on the pamphlet with the activists who were eager to engage the more curious passersby with further dialogue about Marineland.  Signs were also used where for the very first time anyone passing by could text a phone number to automatically receive a link sent to their phone which provides further information on the park.  Activists plan on continuing this action throughout the weekend and in the future at high profile locations throughout the city of Niagara Falls.

at 8:18 PM No comments: 
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook

Labels: action, activists, fallsview, leaflets, niagara falls, niagara falls city council, sign, tourists
Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Release of Dylan Powell's Injunction Raises Questions

A recent injunction order against Marineland Animal Defense "co-founder" Dylan Powell has placed several new restrictions on him when protesting outside Marineland.  He claims that the injunction given to him by the Ontario Superior Court doesn't just apply to just himself but also anyone and everyone. The order lists several restrictions including a ban on using megaphones at demonstrations and certain language on signs such as "abuse" "torture" "animal abuse" "criminal" & "arrest John Holer". 

Rather than provide anyone with an actual real copy of the order, Powell has repeated statements via mainstream and social media where he is the only one quoted explaining the order applies to everyone and not just himself. Powell has warned of dire consequences should everyone fail to follow his instructions at demonstrations. Powell has said a rogue demonstrator could end up in jail or even worse, causing himself to be in contempt of court because of someone else's actions. Anyone who has dared to question the legitimacy of these claims has been quickly dismissed, called stupid and even singled out as someone who would want to "sabotage or dismantle" M.A.D.'s campaign. 

The truth is no one is interested in stopping opposition to Marineland or even halting M.A.D.'s campaign to end the exploitation of animals at the park. It is Dylan Powell who has placed his own campaign in jeopardy with his decisions, his actions and his divisiveness. Now that he faces restrictions that essentially neuter him, he wants everyone else to abide by them or "no one will be allowed to protest at Marineland ever again!"

Marineland: In Depth has obtained a full copy of Justice Lococo's ruling and provide it here for everyone to read.




As can clearly be read: the motion for an injunction order against defendants Dylan Powell, Marineland Animal Defense, John Doe, Jane Doe and Persons Unknown was heard, that much is correct. However the actual ORDER was placed on only one defendant...Dylan Powell. Marineland was not successful in obtaining an injunction against the other defendants. 

Misleading people to believe what the Justice said in court has any actual context to the order itself is quite ridiculous. A person can only know what is written in an order and not what was said in court. It is only what is written that matters and what a person has to comply with. In this case, Persons Unknown, John Doe and Jane Doe are not placed under any orders to comply with. This means no one falls under any of these restrictions except Powell. 

Surely Dylan Powell will drum up more unverifiable reasons why this is being interpreted incorrectly but nothing beats the black and white truth. It is also known that Marineland is continuing their pursuit of another virtually identical injunction order against activist Mike Garrett.

Now if Powell's order covers everyone as he has claimed, then why would Marineland bother to spend thousands of dollars to pursue another injunction that would essentially give them nothing they don't already have?  Better yet, why are donors and supporters of M.A.D. being lied to and told they cannot do things that only applies to really one person? And if Dylan Powell is so concerned about being held in contempt of court for the action of others then why not just stay home on demonstration day? Or is he suddenly more important than the cause?

This site does not condone breaking the law as it exists and has already mentioned Marineland has been known to target people with litigation regardless of what they are doing.  Their lawyers will lie and make false claims about virtually anything to gain political and public sympathy.  Those who do exercise their legal rights to protest on public property should be prepared to defend themselves if Marineland brings forth more frivolous litigation.  Spreading false information about what is legal and what isn't just to hold on to whatever perceived power position one has within an organization does not benefit those who oppose the park but only seeks to manipulate.  If you begin lying to the people that are trying to help then you have become no better than your opponent.
at 2:52 AM 4 comments: 
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook

Labels: court, demonstration, dylan powell, injunctions, marineland animal defense, orders


No comments:

Post a Comment