News

SEND YOUR NEWSWORTHY VIDEOS TO VIDEOS@NEWSTALK1010.COM

Protestors force way into Marineland

Posted By: Siobhan Morris · 10/7/2012 11:20:00 AM

About 150 animal rights activists in Niagara Falls forced their way past Marineland's gates on Sunday.

The group was part of protest that drew some 800 demonstrators.  Some are demanding better treatment of Marineland's sea mammals & animals.  Others want the park shut down.

Dan Dakin, a reporter with the Niagara Falls Review says though protests are common outside Marineland, this one felt different.

Protestors kept moving closer and closer to the theme park's entrance.  Dakin says all bets were off when inside, Marineland owner John Holer pulled up to the gates.

Dakin says the sight of Holer acted as ammunition for protestors who started hopping fences & turnstiles, forcing their way into Marineland.

Once inside, protestors swarmed around the stadium pool, just left of the main gates where a dolphin performance was on.  Dakin says the protestors were chanting, waving signs & yelling at park visitors.

Niagara Regional Police quickly ushered the protestors out of the park.  No one was hurt & there was no damage done to Marineland property. One person was ticketed for trespassing.

Marineland has been under the microscope since ex-trainers blew the whistle on alleged mistreatment of animals at the theme park.

That prompted investigations by the OSPCA & the Canadian Association of Zoos & Aquariums.  While the probe is ongoing, CAZA said it didn't find any huge issues at the park.  The OSPCA doesn't have the power to check out animals under the care of a veterinarian.  Marineland has 3 on staff.  The park has agreed to outside inspections of their water.

Sunday's protest included speeches from ex-Marineland trainer Phil Demers, Parkdale-High Park NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo & dolphin advocate Richard O'Barry.  DiNovo plans to introduce legislation to stop the import of wild animals.

 **PHOTOS from Mike Garett via twitter

Leave a comment:

showing all comments · Subscribe to comments
Comment Like
  • 30
  1. Rory posted on 10/07/2012 03:36 PM
    There was nothing 'ugly' or 'nasty' about it. This was a peaceful protest. We came to let people know that they were supporting a monster and we succeeded!
    1. Vicky posted on 10/07/2012 07:50 PM
      @Rory You certainly did not succeed in letting "people know that they were supporting a monster", rather you became the monster. Families will not remember you opening their eyes and educating them. They will remember being chased out of the stadium with terrified, crying children in tow. Rather than furthering your agenda, you turned people that might have been swayed to your cause against you. That's the definition of failure, not success.
    2. proton posted on 10/08/2012 09:14 AM
      @Rory you people trespassed and it's very disappointing ALL of you weren't arrested for trespassing. You scared the hell out of kids that were there. The monsters are you goons and you are exactly the type of person that doesn't respect laws of society and democracy.

      You can't get your way legally so instead you do things illegally. If you don't like democracy go live in north korea or iran or..... there are many countries to choose from
    show more replies
  2. Patty Krawec posted on 10/07/2012 03:51 PM
    Hey! That's my photo. Also, there was nothing nasty about it. Cheri DiNovo announced her intention to table legislation to stop the import of wild animals. Shut. It. Down.
    1. Vicky posted on 10/07/2012 08:02 PM
      @Patty Krawec You don't consider breaking into a park nasty? Shouting at families with small children trying to enter or exit the park? Terrifying the dolphins, walruses and belugas in the stadium? Forcing children throughout the stadium into frightened tears? Shouting insults at the police? I guess your definition of "nasty" is different from mine.
    2. proton posted on 10/08/2012 09:15 AM
      @Patty Krawec you people trespassed and it's very disappointing ALL of you weren't arrested for trespassing. You scared the hell out of kids that were there. The monsters are you goons and you are exactly the type of person that doesn't respect laws of society and democracy.

      You can't get your way legally so instead you do things illegally. If you don't like democracy go live in north korea or iran or..... there are many countries to choose from
    show more replies
  3. cath hurwood posted on 10/07/2012 04:04 PM
    people held banners and gave out leaflets ...hardly "nasty" - what goes on inside the park to the animals - now that's nasty!!
    1. Vicky posted on 10/07/2012 07:54 PM
      @cath hurwood If they just held banners and gave out leaflets, I would agree with you. However, that is patently not the case. They trespassed on private property, and shouted at families trying to peacefully exit the park, even families with small children and babies. They illegally entered the park, frightened the dolphins and walruses (with their shouting, and by getting in space that is reserved for only trainers) and sent terrified families fleeing from the grandstand. That's nasty in my book.
    2. proton posted on 10/08/2012 09:16 AM
      @cath hurwood you people trespassed and it's very disappointing ALL of you weren't arrested for trespassing. You scared the hell out of kids that were there. The monsters are you goons and you are exactly the type of person that doesn't respect laws of society and democracy.

      You can't get your way legally so instead you do things illegally. If you don't like democracy go live in north korea or iran or..... there are many countries to choose from
  4. Joren posted on 10/07/2012 04:36 PM
    Jeez, the least Newstalk and other media could do is some research. NONE of the 3 vets on staff are qualified to treat/work with whales, dolphins or seals. One of them had a cat hospital.

    The demonstration was not "nasty". Even the police are tweeting that is wasn't out of hand.
    1. ron posted on 10/07/2012 04:54 PM
      @Joren Peacefull until 150 of you stormed in and scared the shit out of young children....they should have had them all pay 40 bucks on there way out......why should they get in for free? I had to pay!
    2. proton posted on 10/08/2012 09:17 AM
      @Joren you people trespassed and it's very disappointing ALL of you weren't arrested for trespassing. You scared the hell out of kids that were there. The monsters are you goons and you are exactly the type of person that doesn't respect laws of society and democracy.

      You can't get your way legally so instead you do things illegally. If you don't like democracy go live in north korea or iran or..... there are many countries to choose from
    show more replies
  5. J posted on 10/07/2012 07:09 PM
    Protesters were yelling at my terrified children. "You have a horrible mother!" and "shame shame!" Protesters pushed past Marineland staff who were attempting to protect guests and thier kids. Protesters prevented families from getting to thier strollers in the entrance to the stadium. Angry protesters called my family names and physically prevented my exit from the stadium. They then forced us up the stairs where we were able to exit out the upper ramp. I was extremely scared and so were my kids. The protesters were out of control and thankfully, no Marineland patrons even attempted to argue with them, we all just tried to get out quickly.

    Before the rude, inconsiderate and illegal actions of those protesters, we enjoyed a GREAT show.
    1. Sean posted on 10/08/2012 12:02 PM
      @J I know right... before those evil people came in you were enjoying the exploitation of sea animals... how dare they....point out that what you are doing is selfish and arrogant. And how dare they point out you are making you children selfish and arrogant as well.

      And you further your selfishness by chastizing the protestors. I am sure you will be first on the Protestors are Terrorists bandwagon once it starts rolling.
  6. Vicky posted on 10/07/2012 07:59 PM
    To those commenting that the protest was "peaceful", were you there? Because I most certainly was, and it was anything but. Not only did these people trespass on private property so that they could be close enough to physically intimidate visitors entering or leaving the park (moving to surround tourists in large numbers, shouting and chanting loudly, frightening children and infants), they illegally entered the park. They were menacing staff and guests, leaving children in terrified tears. They moved into parts of the stadium in large groups that only trainers typically access, and caused significant stress to the dolphins, walruses, and belugas (which seems to contradict their mission to "protect animals"). If the teachers protesting Queens Park had stormed and forced entry, they would have been arrested. Yet no arrests in this instance? They use strollers with children inside to block traffic attempting to move through the Marineland driveway. They surrounded the first police car on the scene, and didn't leave private property until nearly a dozen more cruisers arrived. I have never seen worse conduct in a group dedicated to so-called peaceful protest. They may claim to care about animal rights, but they clearly don't care about people. They shouted "SHAME" at those leaving the park, but it is the protesters that should be ashamed of their actions.
    1. Sean posted on 10/08/2012 12:05 PM
      @Vicky Why care about people who only care about themselves?

      Unfortunately informing vegetables who are selfish doesn't really do much... so they do what they can... hurt is pocket book until he changes his policies or closes his animal prison.
  7. Walter posted on 10/07/2012 08:21 PM
    I hope they have security video of the incident and police follow up and charge all 150 with trespassing. A civilized societycannot tolerate a mob like this to get off without punishment.
    1. Theresa posted on 10/07/2012 11:13 PM
      @Walter The civility you speak of does not exist inside this park. Enslaved animals that are being mistreated are being forced to perform while parents and children cheer. Who really deserves punishment?
    2. Sean posted on 10/08/2012 12:10 PM
      @Walter You must feel cozy and warm in your little police state that you selfish and cowardly mentally has helped create.

      Civility doesn't include imprisoning endangered species in minature tank(in comparison to the animals size and environment)... it also doesn't include restrictive regulatory bodies that surround rich exploiters of loop holes and call them in advance before they come....

      They probably just threw every sick animal on the "having treatment" list right away... all of a sudden can't do anything to punch them... for clearly making the animals sick in the first place.

      Short sighted and cowardly that's the way to be "Civil" apparently.
  8. jaytee posted on 10/07/2012 08:59 PM
    These 'protesters' need to get a 'f*****g' life. They are nothing but 'terrorists spoiling the fun of so many families, during a Sunday outing. They should all be arrested for trespassing on privatte property. But once again, the Police shy away from a political hot potato!!

    Get a LIFE!!
    1. Theresa posted on 10/07/2012 10:48 PM
      @jaytee For all of you calling the protestors nasty:
      Peaceful demonstrations have been going on for years and information about what really goes on behind the scenes in this place has been available for anyone who chose to actually look. Still, NOTHING has been done to change the horrors these animals go through on a daily basis and the patrons that day clearly either did not research where they were going or do not actually care. It has been far too long! Clearly more needs to be done to bring attention to the injustice these animals face. WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH IS NASTY! If the children of these patrons were the ones being held captive (and these intelligent, feeling mammals are very family oriented) I'm pretty sure they would be ok with people protesting and "scaring " off the ones gawking at their children for their entertainment. In fact I'm pretty sure they would expect something a little more extreme than that. We endangered no one.These animals need a voice to stand up for them. We are their voice and will not stop until you understand this.
    2. Sean posted on 10/08/2012 12:12 PM
      @jaytee Wow terrorists.?

      United States is the Biggest Terrorist state I know of.... but why do you think Protesters are terrorists?

      Cause you are easily scared and are too dumb to believe in something that isn't selfish?
    show more replies
  9. Heather posted on 10/19/2012 11:36 AM
    http://www.thestar.com/photoplayer/1273137

    Edit this from your ignorant world.

    I hope all you visitors of marineland are happy with yourselves, for not listening to us, for letting THIS continue.
showing all comments

Videos

Top Stories

Trending