This Monday, November 4, a tarpaulin demanding the release of activist Paul Watson and his non-extradition to Japan was placed on the facade of City Hall. The town of Blagnac thus appears to be one of the first municipalities in Haute-Garonne to support the activist.
Activist Paul Watson, aged 73, has been imprisoned in Greenland since last July, for acts linked to his fight against whaling. As such, the municipality of Blagnac wanted to react and joined numerous organizations in calling for his release.
« The City of Blagnac subscribes to the action of Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherd association for the defense of the environment and biodiversity. His arrest, as arbitrary as it is unjust, is an aberration. This is why, as Mayor, I respond to the call of journalist Hugo Clément and fully support Paul Watson. », declared Joseph Carles, mayor of Blagnac.
A fierce fight against cetacean hunting
As a reminder, Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd movement and emblematic figure in the fight against whaling, was arrested by the Danish police on July 21, 2024 following an international arrest warrant issued by Japan. Known for his direct actions and maritime interventions, Paul Watson has been waging a fierce fight against cetacean hunting for decades, accusing the Japanese authorities of masking a commercial activity under “scientific” motives.
His arrest sparked a wave of indignation among his supporters and relaunched the debate around the protection of marine species and the methods used to defend the oceans. Environmental organizations and animal rights figures calling for his release describe this arrest as an attempt to intimidate activists.
