Children and Whales - Teaching us Compassion

Greetings!

I need your help with an idea I've been thinking about. As you may have heard, Coastwalk California has agreed to be the lead organization in the organization of a rally on the coast of Sonoma to protest the plan by the International Whaling Commission to end the moratorium on the commercial hunting of whales. At their meeting in Morocco in June, they will consider a proposal to establish quotas of several species of whales, including the Pacific Gray Whale.

All along the coast of California, on May 23rd, rallies are being held to protest the plan, and to ask President Obama to honor his promise to us to end the killing of whales. It is particularly important, since his representatives are currently supporting the plan.

I have invited all of our political representatives, congressional to local supervisors, to speak on that morning. Together with environmental organizations and community organizations, we will voice our opposition once again to the needless slaughter of cetaceans worldwide.

But I need your help to raise the quality of the event, and to make it more meaningful to all of us.

I'd like for Sonoma's children to draw pictures in the next two weeks of the whales that they love. And I'd like to ask your help in locating teachers who would ask their students to draw the pictures, and either come and present them to our political and environmental representatives on that day, or send them to us for presentation. The ceremony will take place at 10am, on Sunday, May 23rd, in front of the whale sculpture, underneath the ORCA kite, on the beach.

I know this would elevate the event from one in which we all enjoyed the time together on one level - to a whole other experience. And bring meaning to the rally to children, parents, and all others. As you may know, I've spent most of my career helping implement programs and services for young children and the families. I can't help but believe that this is another opportunity to remind ourselves of ourselves of the importance of making the world safe for each other, and for those who will follow us.

Please let me know if you can help. Thanks.