Making a stand, marching a march.

I am lucky. As a journalist, a blogger and as a human being, I have a voice.

A voice I can use to speak up when I’m angry, when I’m sad and when I see things that are wrong.

Last weekend, I used that voice, for all those reasons, on behalf of creatures that can’t.

Together with several-hundred people from all walks of life: a lady who rescues dogs from areas of natural disaster, a student moved by the award-winning documentary Blackfish, a television presenter, a BBC producer, even a Game of Thrones star (Maisie Williams) – I marched from Cavendish Square to Trafalgar to voice my disgust against dolphin slaughters in Taiji, Japan, and my anger at the awful conditions and mentally disturbing environment that marine wildlife are kept in at ‘amusement’ park Seaworld.

There are many reasons I hold these views – some I have discussed before, others I probably couldn’t express as elegantly, concisely and graphically as the following footage:

It is hard to admit to ourselves that we have probably, at one point or another, unwittingly and unknowingly contributed to a world that captures, controls and imprisons animals – that directly relates to the hell that is Taiji Cove even. I know I have.

And when I see these old holiday snaps from years gone by – I physically feel sick. But nonetheless, I urge you to take a look, because I can’t truly express what I stand for, without being totally honest and  forward in showing you what I stand against. So let’s be clear: This is what I stand against…

Including my naive and ignorant self that took these photos – because this directly relates to the atrocities of Taiji Cove, and there is no excuse to be ignorant anymore.

The London march may have been and gone, but it is not too late to stand with others against what is wrong.

As fellow my march-ee and long-time inspiration, Born Free President Will Travers, so aptly quoted (see videos following): “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” – Martin Luther King Jnr.

Thank you to everyone I met last weekend for giving me hope that together we can share truths, open minds and even change opinions – and that’s where the tiny ripples begin that change the whole course of the river.