Captain Paul Watson’s arrest: a grave injustice

Captain Paul Watson, a well-known activist and founder of Sea Shepherd, was arrested in Greenland while refueling his boat. His serious "fault"? Having defended whales from hunters for which he now risks extradition to Japan

In a shocking and unjust incident, Captain Paul Watson, 73, was arrested and handcuffed by Danish police in Greenland while refueling his boat. This event has outraged all those who care about justice and the protection of our planet.

Who is Paul Watson?

Paul Watson is a Canadian activist and environmentalist, renowned for founding and leading the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an organization dedicated to protecting marine resources and ocean wildlife. Watson has devoted his life to safeguarding the oceans and the whales, yet now he faces imprisonment and extradition to Japan, the country that requested his arrest.

This arrest is believed to be linked to a previous Red Notice issued due to Watson’s pro-whale activities in Antarctica. The arrest came as a surprise, as Sea Shepherd’s lawyers had reported the notice was withdrawn. However, it appears Japan had kept the notice confidential to facilitate Watson’s travel and subsequent arrest.

His “crime”? Saving whales

Paul Watson is not a criminal. His only “crime” is his brave and determined efforts to protect whales, placing himself between Japanese whaling ships and their targeted cetaceans. It is absurd and deeply troubling that a man can be arrested for defending endangered species.

We live in an upside-down world where whale hunters should be stopped and prosecuted, not those who fight against them. This is a disgrace for Japan, which goes to any lengths to continue the slaughter of these creatures, and a shame for Denmark for cooperating in this injustice instead of voicing dissent.

Currently, Paul Watson is before a judge at the Sermersooq district court, and the police are pushing for his detention. The Ministry of Justice will then decide on his extradition to Japan.

Mobilize for Paul Watson

We cannot stay silent in the face of this grave injustice. We must mobilize massively to demand the release of Paul Watson and prevent his extradition to Japan, where he risks dying in prison.

What can we do concretely? Captain Watson’s Instagram pages encourage sending an email to the Danish embassy in the United Kingdom (lunamb@um.dk) to request Paul Watson’s release.

Let’s flood them with emails!

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The Bottle Chapel at Airlie Gardens: a tribute to Minnie Evans

She began painting at 43, following a strange revelatory dream. In the meantime, she worked as a caretaker at the "Airlie Gardens" in Wilmington, which dedicated this chapel to her to honor her.

Nestled within the beautiful Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina, stands a mysterious structure known as “The Bottle Chapel.” Crafted from thousands of glass bottles, broken plates, and other recycled materials, this chapel dedicated to artist Minnie Evans radiates a captivating brilliance.

A closer look

Visitors are mesmerized by the intricate details embedded in its walls. Whiskey bottles, Coca-Cola bottles, blue wine bottles, expensive vodka bottles, and even green champagne bottles all find their place in this creation. It is the handiwork of Virginia Wright-Frierson, who constructed it to honor the visionary Wilmington artist, Minnie Evans.

 

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Un post condiviso da Jessica Hivner (@itsjesuki)

The life of Minnie Evans

Minnie Evans, a descendant of slaves brought to America from Trinidad, was born in 1892. She spent almost her entire life in Wilmington, leaving school after the fifth grade to help support her family.

Evans was not like other children. She experienced vivid dreams and visions that others could not see. At 43, she had a life-changing dream where a voice commanded her, “You have to draw or die.” Following this vision in 1935, she embraced her calling as an artist.

Evans’s work is filled with mystical figures influenced by African and Caribbean art, as well as the plants and flowers she tended to during her long tenure as a caretaker at Airlie Gardens.

Evans often gifted her paintings to garden visitors. In the 1960s, her art caught the attention of Nina Howell Starr, which led to her exhibiting in many New York galleries.

After Evans passed away in 1987, Airlie Gardens sought to honor her legacy. Virginia Wright-Frierson conceived the idea of the stunning Bottle Chapel, around which other marvels have been installed, including sculptures by Dumay Gorham, clay sculptures by Hiroshi Sueyoshi, and ceramic sculptures by Tejuola Turner.

Today, many people visit the gardens specifically to see the chapel dedicated to her. Evans’s story teaches us that it is never too late to follow one’s true calling, and she would undoubtedly be proud of this tribute.

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