Group Wants Committee to Use Its Clout to Help Ban the Largest Slaughter of Marine Mammals in the World

For Immediate Release:
May 7, 2009
 
Contact:
Kristie Phelps 757-622-7382

Toronto -- The Canadian Olympic Committee has won praise from PETA for standing up to pressure from the Canadian government, which proposed to decorate its Olympic team's uniforms with seal skin from a massacre that will claim the lives of approximately 338,000 seals this year alone. PETA says black arm bands would be more appropriate decorations for the uniforms and warns that its international campaign will generate protests of the Games.
 
"The Olympic Committee is right not to let itself be used as the Canadian government's political pawn," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "But with all eyes on Canada as the country prepares for the Olympics, international protests against the baby seal slaughter will focus the world's attention on Canada's shame instead of Canada's Games."
 
For more information please visit PETA.org.

PETA's letter to Michael Chambers, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, follows. 
 

May 7, 2009
 
Michael Chambers
President
Canadian Olympic Committee
 
Dear Mr. Chambers:
 
Thank you for blocking the Canadian government's pathetic attempt to legitimize the massacre of baby seals through its absurd proposal to use seal skin on Olympic uniforms. Black armbands would be the more appropriate accessory until the seal slaughter ends.
 
Compassionate citizens from all across the globe are outraged that Canada's annual seal slaughter continues. The European Union and the U.S. have banned seal products, and world leaders have spoken out against the massacre. Demonstrations from London to Hamburg and Los Angeles to Toronto have captured headlines and have sent a clear message that unless the annual massacre on the ice is stopped, Canada's Games will be marred by protests over Canada's shame.
 
You are in a position to ensure that no mother seal will ever again be forced to watch as her baby is beaten to death and skinned before her eyes. Will you please let the focus be on the Games by listening to the voices that have been raised in horror and protest around the world and by using your position to help end the slaughter? No one wants to see the 2010 Olympics marred by protests, but that is what must happen if the Canadian government won't end the largest slaughter of marine mammals in history.
 
Thank you for your time and consideration.
 
Very truly yours,
 

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President