Well, the contest element of the Visual Petition is over. Many thanks and big congratulations to the winners of each region who will be joining us in Santiago for the International Whaling Commission in late June.
The Visual Petition has been a huge success and is one of the most unique petitions ever created. The faces of our ocean culture express the desire for an end to whale and dolphin slaughter in a way that words could never accomplish. Although we would love to see millions of portraits on the site, the overall impact of seeing thousands of faces together as one image is impactful in a way that makes it impossible to not be affected by the look in the eyes of children from Peru, or the desperate words from the older generations... the diversity of photos from all over the world is incredible and such support warms the heart.
One of the goals of the petition is to give our movement a face. To give the whalers and dolphin killers a chance to look in the eye of people from all over the world and realise that we are not a faceless enemy, but a fellow human who wishes for no more than the protection of cetaceans in an ocean that is becoming increasingly difficult for them to survive in.
The VP also gives us the chance to see that we are not alone with our compassionate desires. We belong to a global movement of people who enjoy bountiful oceans, sharing waves with dolphins, admiring the timeless majesty of the great whales, and wants our childrens children to experience the same reverence for the natural world.
The VP is being presented in Chile during the IWC, delegates will receive their own copy of the VP and our huge VP banner will feature as a prominent media attraction, and back drop for all interviews and public events.
After Chile the VP will continue to expand, and every opportunity to expose the tragedy of whaling and dolphin kills will give us another moment to share it's unique, and very personal message. We welcome you all to continue shooting portraits of friends, family and anyone who cares about this issue. The VP will continue to grow so long as the tragedy of cetacean slaughter continues.
From a drifting thought about creating this petition we have collectively created something very beautiful and powerful. I am extremely grateful that you are all participating and willing to do your part in preserving the animals of which we share this blue planet.
As Surfers For Cetaceans moves forward on a number of campaigns and direct actions, the VP continues to grow and share the awareness of this issue.
The time for whaling is over!
Serving our seas,
- Dave Rastovich
The VP Competition has now ended. Please be aware that you will no longer be able to claim competition points. Winners have now had their petitions checked for duplicates and invalid petitions, and have been sent an email to confirm their win and to arrange travel. You can view the FINAL SCORES on the View Ranking Page.
About the Chile Tour Competition
The Visual Petition Contest has given 5 passionate people around the world the opportunity to travel with Rasta and other top surfers to the IWC (International Whaling Commission) meeting in Chile June 2008. The people who gather the largest quantity of portraits for the Visual Petition in their part of the world will help to physically hand the global petition to the delegates of the IWC.
Together, the group will surf, protest, play music, and join with Chilean people, to protest the killing of Cetaceans.
