May 4, 1998

THE SEA WORLD 28 GO TO COURT

On Sunday, April 5, 1998, an animal protection conference at the University of Central Florida (UCF) culminated with a demonstration against animal abuse at Sea World.

The NON-VIOLENT protesters were arrested on public property. "I was shocked that my constitutional right to assemble was trampled on. Peaceful protesting against marine mammal captivity is a First Amendment Right," stated Maria Diestro, an organizer of the UCF Southeastern Animal Rights Conference.

"A whale in a tank lives less than half of their natural lifespan. Half of all dolphins die within two years after the capture," states Susan McCullom one of the arrested activists. "It is ironic that we are fighting against the imprisonment of marine mammals, yet we ended up in prison ourselves."

"This arraignment extends past the circle of Animal Rights Activism. It encompasses any group that ever wants to peacefully assemble. Our Constitutional rights have been violated. This could potentially happen to any group that ever wants to speak out for what they believe in."

On Wednesday, May 6th at 12:30pm, a show of support for the Sea World 28 will begin at the Ocoee Courthouse. The courthouse address is 475 W. Story Rd.

Directions to the courthouse are as follows:
Go on east-west Expressway
Go west towards Ocoee
Take east west to W. Colonial Exit (highway 50)
Make a left onto 50
go to the third traffic light (maguire Rd.)
Take a right
Go to third traffic light (story Rd.)
make a left
Orange County Services will be on your left.

The number to the courthouse is 656-3229.

The time of the arraignment is at 1pm. The presiding judge will be Judge Martinez.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever does. - Margaret Mead

Susan McCollum has been an activist for 17 years from Canada to Florida. She also worked to rehabilitate injured animals. Currently, she is a member of the animal rights organization Earth Kind, working with elementary and high school children to educate them about humanitarian and environmental issues. Other Articles I've Written