Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2012

After killing all those turkeys and cranberries during this holiday long weekend, why not wash the poultry blood of your hands and assuage the guilt with a protest against dolphin slaughter in Taiji?

The Japanese organization Action for Marine Mammals (海洋哺乳類を守る会) is planning a march tomorrow (Sat, Nov 24) to protest the killing of dolphins in the seaside town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture and Japan’s continued “research” whaling. The town of Taiji was the focus of the 2009 Oscar-winning documentary movie, The Cove, featuring former dolphin trainer turned activist, Richard O’Barry. The march, scheduled for 2pm, will start at Miyashita Park (near Shibuya station) and will then make its way through the park to Shibuya station, up Miyamasuzaka to Omotesando and finishing at Jingudori Park.

(Metropolis interviewed O’Barry in our October 12 issue. Read it here.)

The group opposes the dolphin culls that take place around Japan, not only in Wakayama, but also in various spots in Hokkaido, Iwate, Miyagi and Okinawa. They also question the need for ¥2.3 billion of taxpayers money taken from last years supplementary budget “disaster relief fund” to help rebuild areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that was used to fund research whaling in Antarctica.

The march is part of a set of international rallies to be held simultaneously across the globe in nine cities and seven countries. Other cities participating will be Canberra, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Sao Paulo and Vancouver. The group warns participants to be aware that opposing right-wing nationalists plan to protest against the protests.

What: March Against Killing of Taiji Dolphins & Research Whaling
Where: Shibuya, Omotesando, Harajuku.
When: November 24, 1:30pm
Tel: 080-5496-2294
E-mail: cogamera@hotmail.com
Info: The group plans to meet at the north side of Myashita Park (Shibuya stn) at 1:30pm