![A 12-meter inflatable PETA "seal" will be following 2010 Olympic torch runners across Canada.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_lightbox/hash/4a/4d/4a4d44966ce5a7b4793c9afc58a10ada.jpg "A 12-meter inflatable PETA "seal" will be following 2010 Olympic torch runners across Canada.")
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has stepped up its pressure to halt the Canadian seal hunt by appearing at 2010 Olympic torch events. Organizers plan to appear at 24 Canadian cities to peacefully shadow the Olympic torch run until February 2010.
"Canada wants to clean up its world image for the Olympics, but as long as the country allows the seal slaughter to continue, that will be the dirty deed that Canada is associated with," says PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews.
PETA recently added an eye-catching, inflatable seal mascot, called Sparky the Giant Seal, to draw attention to the ongoing campaign against the Canadian seal hunt. The mascot is accompanied by animal advocates who will enlist people to call on their Parliamentary representatives to support legislation to end the slaughter.
PETA & International Fund for Animal Welfare
According to a PETA media release, "this demonstration marks a new joint initiative between two very different organizations: PETA, which is known for its provocative protests and celebrity campaigns, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which is known for its science-based campaign to end Canada's commercial seal slaughter.
PETA is well-known for successful methods of gaining public attention, including its large use of internet social networking to get out a message. Marketing experts might say they are a group that knows how to effectively get under the public's skin.
In a recent development reported by CBC News, “the federal government plans to step up its efforts to fight opposition to the Canadian seal hunt by countering the online campaigns created by anti-sealing groups.” CBC reports that the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs issued a contract of $50,000 to $100,000 to hire staff for "social media reputation and online issues management of the seal hunt."
2008 Beijing Olympics
It's not the first time that PETA & the Olympic name have met. U.S. Olympic swimming champion Amanda Beard appeared naked in an advertising campaign protesting against fashion furs, that was launched at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The campaign included a video and a billboard with the message: "Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin - Don't Wear Fur." Beard says in the video, "I'd much rather go naked than ever put a dead animal on my body."
The Beijing Olympics were also the scene of extensive Tibet protests resulting in disruption and cancellation of part of the torch run.
Olympic protests
Earlier this year, controversy was raised when some Canadian Members of Parliament tried to organize their own version of a protest by suggesting seal fur be used on 2010 Olympic clothing. An idea that was quickly turned down by Olympic officials.
Inspite of historic attempts to keep politics and protest out of the Olympics, in an openly democratic society such as Canada, freedom of speech and assembly will likely win out. If nothing else, any public demonstrations will make for intriguing theatre for the many who may not be able to afford pricey, Olympic sport seats or sealskin coats.
Resources: Additional background information is available at PETA and Animal Rights.
Comments
Please don't use Canadians' tax dollars to try and combat what is
good. Humans have a right to live and so do animals. What happened to all the fields of strawberries and blueberries and
chickens that can forage outdoors in warm weather, and cattle to
grass on clean healthy enzymed grasses - why humans have over
populated and destroyed all.Educate the countries with high human
population and let them manager their own affairs. I do very well
in what little I eat, and I am healthier.Animals have brought me a book of knowledge. Let the animals, forests and waters live in
peace, please.
What is the point of killng seals this whole cruel debacle has had it's day, nobody wants their fur or meat, the government doesn't know when they're beaten. Move on!
Polling consistently shows the majority of Canadians oppose Canada's commercial seal kill. Yet billions of our tax dollars are used to subsidize and defend it both at home and abroad. The provincial government of Nova Scotia even allows thousands of baby grey seals to be slaughtered on provincially-held protected wilderness areas by wooden bat-wielding fishermen. The Canadian government is destroying the reputation of Canada, allowing unspeakable animal cruelty and betraying the wishes of the majority of its citizens, just to keep a tiny portion of the population of Atlantic Canada happy.
The Canadian commercial seal "hunt" is neither necessary nor humane. It's disgusting and shameful and must be brought to an end.
Bridget Curran
antisealingcoalition.ca
Now the Harper Government is spending a further $100,000 to hire a PR group to monitor seal hunt chatter on groups such as Facebook and Twitter. Just for that action they are are spending 10% of the total revenue made in 2009. The Federal Government needs to accept the industry is no longer sustainable.
It's all merely political posturing to the Eastern Provinces. The time and resources would be better spent training the sealers to find employment doing another trade. Not all of the sealers want to be risking their lives to make an embarrassing wage anyway. If you consider all the economical implications from the hunt it's cheaper for Canadian taxpayers to have the sealers stay at home.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!