hi lula! this in today from ric o'barry in regards to what NOW:

JAPAN DOLPHIN DAY: Imagine

No, we didn't end the annual dolphin slaughter in one day, but we did plant some very important seeds. We sent the Japanese government a loud and clear message. Something is happening all around the world, and they know it.

The Japanese embassies and consulate general offices must report our protest to their government in Tokyo. They now understand that there is serious international opposition to the inhumane dolphin slaughter. Our work is all about exposing this brutal practice, and we did that in a big way on October 8th all around the world.

We can continue to keep the pressure on the decision makers in Tokyo by contacting our local Japanese representatives through phone and email. That's a simple thing that anyone can do. These official complaints are recorded. Usually, email complaints are answered, and they are always reported back to Tokyo.

Here's how simple it is: When the Japanese consulate general office in Miami opens for business this morning, I'll pick up the phone and file a formal complaint. I will also send an email message -- a very short, to the point and polite message: Please tell the Japanese government to stop the dolphin slaughter.

Next to my computer is a yellow post-a-note with the phone number of the consulate office and their email address. I will give this contact information to all of our supporters, friends and family in Miami who want to know what they can do to help abolish the dolphin slaughter. Our hope is that they will pass on the contact information to their friends and families. If we all did this simple thing in our community, the Japanese government would come to realize that Japan Dolphin Day was not just a fleeting moment. It was the start of an on-going international campaign, and it is growing every day. Can you imagine the local Japanese representatives dealing with this every day? They will understand that we will not go away until the killing and captures are stopped.

You will find local Japanese representatives here: www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_...faserv.html

We are all busy with other issues, and we have limited resources. We can't work on all of the issues all of the time. This is understandable. But consider how simple it is to keep a note on your desk with one phone number and an email address. Pass this contact information around to others. It won't get you off-track of your normal workload. By doing this simple thing, we may be able to get a million people to contact their local Japanese embassies.

Thank you all for showing up on October 8th.

Ric