"THE WHALES ARE CRYING" AND IN LONG BEACH HUMANS ARE LISTENING!

Celebrities, kids, parents activists gather June 16th in Long Beach, CA to protest Navy LFA testing on Whales.

PRESS RELEASE

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION - LONG BEACH CHAPTER
For more information contact:
Organizer: Diana Mann at (562) 433-4323
Logistics/Press: Gigi Fast Elk Porter,
(562) 422-8068 pmi@gte.net FX (562) 428-7966

WORD COUNT: 362

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"THE WHALES ARE CRYING"
AND IN LONG BEACH - HUMANS ARE LISTENING!!!

Long Beach, CA -- June 7, 2001 --On March 15, 2000, the US Navy tested an active sonar submarine detection system in the Bahamas. On that day, at least 14 Whales grounded themselves, eight (8) of them died from ruptured membranes as a result of the testing, according to marine science experts.

On Saturday, June 16th, 2001 (from 2-5 p.m. P.D.T.), humans, young and old, who care about sea creatures will take part in simultaneous protests in countries around the world. In Long Beach, (one of the many scheduled California events), celebrities, families and school kids will rally on the beach and do their part to spread the word about stopping the Navy's Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Low Frequency Active (LFA) sonar program. The message they send will be clear, "Stop Killing Our Whales!" A documentary will be culled from footage shot at each protest occurring around the globe which will be sent to the appropriate decision makers as demonstration of public disapproval and outcry.

Special Guests, Hilary Def (Lizzie) and Ashlie Brillault (Kate) of the hit Disney Channel show, "Lizzie McGuire" will be on hand for free autographs. The Naples String Trio will offer "Classic Music with a Twist," followed by Long Beach's native son, actor and musician, Reggie Bannister (Phantasm 1-4, Wishmaster), Jon Sherman ("Native American Flute" player), and blues musician, Joey Racano (Huntington Beach's "Save Little Shell Wetlands"), in a day of musical entertainment. Speakers include 10 year old, Kristin Taylor, of Los Alamitos Elementary School who organized a multi-school petition drive to Save the Whales, Diana Mann - EcoLink and host of "In Your Backyard," Katy Penland - American Cetacean Society and many, many more.

Family activities include "Name the Whale" contest, celebrity autographing, picnic, volleyball, face painting, music, and prizes. The public is invited to bring a family picnic lunch and colorful signs to the beach (near Roswell and Ocean Blvd and look for the flying whale!). No food or beverages will be available for sale. No drugs, alcohol or dogs allowed. Prepare for outdoor temperatures. Come out to learn more and add your voice to the speak for those who can't to say, "The Whales are Crying!" Call Diana Mann at (562) 433-4323 for more information.

WHAT: "The Whales Are Crying"
WHEN: June 16, 2001

TIME: From 2pm - 5pm

WHERE: ON the beach IN Long Beach
                South of the Belmont Pier near Roswell and Ocean Blvd.

VHS TAPES (8 minutes) and PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Call - Diana Mann (562) 433-4323
PRESS CHECK IN and PRESS KITS AT EVENT: Call - Gigi Fast Elk (562) 428-7966

RELATED WEBSITES OF INTEREST:

Surfrider Foundation - www.surfider.org

The Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) LFA - www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/surtass.htm

Ocean Futures - Jean Michel Cousteau - www.oceanfutures.org

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