“Paul Watson symbolizes the fight for the preservation of the planet. He is an environmentalist who fights against whaling, he is the symbol of the activist who risks dying in prison because of his convictions. It’s still quite amazing! » Karim Bouamrane, socialist mayor of Saint-Ouen, displayed this week the giant portrait of Paul Watson, a renowned 73-year-old environmentalist who decided to devote his life to the protection of cetaceans.
Founder of the Sea Shepherd association, Paul Watson has been incarcerated for almost three months in Greenland, after being arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, capital of this autonomous Danish territory, where he had landed to refuel. He was then on his way with his boat the John Paul DeJoria to intercept a new Japanese whaling factory ship.
Japan continues whaling despite its ban with the entry into force in 1986 of a moratorium from the International Whaling Commission. “There are countries like Norway, Iceland or Japan which manage to find arrangements to free themselves from the international framework,” regrets the mayor of Saint-Ouen.
It was precisely on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued in 2012 by Japan that Paul Watson was arrested in July. Japan has also made an extradition request, while the activist requested political asylum from France on October 16 in a letter sent to Emmanuel Macron.
“We have a considerable challenge which is the preservation of biodiversity, of aquatic species which goes with the fight against global warming, the establishment of alternative transport to the car. It’s really an overall project for us,” adds Karim Bouamrane.
“Saint-Ouen highlights an emblematic figure who today suffers political injustice,” concludes the elected official. We show our solidarity with his fight, his values by also designating him an honorary citizen of the city. » The municipal council which will meet at the end of November will be required to formalize this announcement. The city of Paris also indicated that it had made the same decision. In France, many mayors have shown their support for Paul Watson in recent days.
