PETA Protests Sea World’s Confinement of Orcas

Before noon on Saturday, February 5, at the intersection of Sea World Drive and Sea World Way, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protested Sea World's confinement of orcas.

An activist’s sign read, "Honk if You Love Whales," and many motorists honked as they drove by; they and their passengers made remarks of either support or resentment for the protest.

As activists chanted, "Shame on you, free Shamu," four people suited in orca costumes crawled into the road, halting traffic on the westbound side. A few male motorists stepped out of their vehicles to express outrage that they should be blocked in traffic when SeaWorld was not their destination.

After yelling, "Get the fuck out of the way!" one angry man grabbed a costumed protester and attempted to pull the person out of the road. Two drivers — one in a Mercedes (license plate 6EPC674), one in a GMC (license plate 6L70705) — threatened to run the protesters over.

Officer C. Slater and several other arresting officers took the orca characters (three female and one male) one by one into custody while the other activists continued their chant.