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15 January 2007

Remember...

By John Bowler, in New Zealand

Today’s blog is not about the Esperanza or the whale campaign or how the Open Boat went today (for your information it was great, 500+ visitors and the sun shone brightly). Although I really enjoyed it again today my head (and my heart) was elsewhere.

I have been with Greenpeace for 20 years and during that time have travelled widely, but I have never been to New Zealand before. Yes, this is my first time in Auckland and so I had to check out Marsden Warf just about one kilometre away from Princes Warf where the Esperanza proudly sits.

For those who cannot place the name Marsden Warf was where the Rainbow Warrior met its end. It was here 22 years ago that the French Secret Service bombed the ship and killed Fernando. I felt a strong pull to go and see the place where this had happened. It was not out of morbid curiosity but out of a sense of comraderie. I knew, and still know, many of the crew who were on board that day. It was, I suppose, a sort of pilgrimage. It helped me focus on the Greenpeace vision. It certainly filled me with a sense of mission and gave me a feeling of strength.

The Esperanza is about to depart on a dangerous and difficult mission. The whalers will do everything they can to stop us stopping them. But …. The French could not stop us 20 years ago and the whalers will not stop us now.

The legacy of the Rainbow Warrior is our strength. A ship, with a dedicated crew, out to right the wrongs. Whether it be nuclear weapons testing, destruction of the forests, or whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary Greenpeace has proved that it will not stop and will not be bullied into stopping until we have achieved our goal of a green and peaceful planet.

JohnB

   

Comments

sorry for my not perfect english, it's just a little message from the other side of the earth. I have nothing special to say, just I really cry with warm "larmes" of emotion. mixing that I am so sad of what humans do of the Earth, and so happy that some people or now on a way to try and do something.
I was 2 years ago in New-Zealand, for a family wedding. There I have been absolutely charmed by birds songs, fur seals. Deep emotion on a desert beach, close to yellow-eyed penguins. And, yes I have payed to see sperm whales. Turism is a strange industry.
But it was one of the most important days in my life. I have always loved whales (when I was 4 years old I danced and danced again on the whale song disc). I have never really liked dolphin pictures. But on this boat, with 50 persons, I saw royal albatros, fur seal hunting, sperm whales and I received an infinite emotion with dolphins. I can't explain, it was very very strong (and I have grown close to forest , in a farm with lot of animals, definitely cetaceas are different).
New-Zealand is almost a green and peaceful country.

This message was just few words to say that so many people around the world are sensitive and agree deeply the Esperanza travel.
I am tight-roper and today I continue to dance on whale songs, I speak about whales, I sing like whales. I feel that so few, but that's my job.

If it's possibly I send you lot of courage and esperanzas.
Good luck! good all!
be careful
be confident

celine

Posted by: kephem at January 16, 2007 1:46 AM

Hey there John...,
...and thanks for another perfect introspect and testimony of the greatest organization this earth has ever known. Warriors of the Rainbow, ...to know you, is to Love you (all). Please be careful this time around, ...while you guys have the bull by the horns, ...all we can do here is sit here and worry, ...a lot, ...GC

Posted by: Grateful Child at January 16, 2007 1:57 PM

From Billy G to Southern O

"It's folks like him [Billy Greene] and all of you who write us and send us your support, in whatever form you choose, that not only allow us to make the effort we're making, but also feel like you are here with us. Never underestimate the power of that, and the power you have, wherever you live, to play your own part in this and every struggle we're making for a better world."

Thank you for writing this. It reminds me of my own mission, my own part in the whaling issue. I am currently writing my final thesis on the media representation of Japan's pro-whaling policy and New Zealand's anti-whaling policy for my Masters Degree in Communication Science and International Relations. I know my writings are a small token in the realms of anti-whaling pursuits. Nevertheless, I believe that all the pieces will complete the circle one day.

My thoughts are with you all, I would have loved to be in Aotearoa (a place I am well familiar with) to shake hands with you personally, but I am currently on the other side of the world. Yet, something tells me, we will meet up someday.

I wish you all the best, ‘bon courage’, and send you the strength of all the seas and oceans to support all of you brave men and women during your highly appreciated endeavors!

Yours sincerely,

Katja

Posted by: Katja at January 21, 2007 3:12 PM

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