Worldwide Protests against Denmark for Keeping Captain Paul Watson in Jail
Anti-whaling campaigner Captain Paul Watson sits in jail as activists rally to stop his extradition to Japan from Denmark
Los Angeles, October 31st, 2024 — International pressure is mounting against Denmark as activists from across the globe demand the immediate release of Captain Paul Watson, the celebrated anti-whaling crusader and co-founder of Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd. Arrested in July when his ship docked in Greenland, Watson is now at the center of a heated battle between environmental advocates and pro-whaling nations. His supporters are calling for Denmark to reject Japan’s extradition request, fearing that the consequences could be life-threatening for the 73-year-old ocean defender. UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell spoke with Omar Todd, Global CEO of the Paul Watson Foundation, about the current situation in this case. You can watch the conversation by clicking here:
Handcuffing a Hero
On July 21st, 2024, Captain Watson was arrested in Greenland by Danish police pursuing an international arrest warrant issued by Japan. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation said the arrest took place during a stop-off on a mission to intercept Japan’s newly built factory whaling ship, called the Kangei Maru, in the North Pacific. Watson has been sitting in jail in Greenland, a Danish autonomous region, while Denmark decides whether to extradite him to Japan.
Captain Paul Watson’s arrest sparked a firestorm of protests worldwide. Demonstrations have erupted from Los Angeles to Paris, all condemning the Danish government for cooperating with Japan — a country criticized for continuing to engage in whaling despite international regulations. The founder of Sea Shepherd, known for the iconic TV series Whale Wars, faces potential extradition to Japan, where he could be sentenced to 15 years in prison for alleged offenses dating back to 2010 — which he denies.
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Omar Todd is an accomplished entrepreneur, ocean champion and CEO of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF) which continues to lead the fight to save our oceans. In his interview with Jane Velez-Mitchell, he voiced his frustration, describing Watson as a hero dedicated to the protection of our oceans who should not be treated as a criminal. He has visited Watson behind bars and described how the captain is doing:
“I think, now, he’s getting a little fed up with the process of the slowness of the wheels of justice. He’s resolute though, strong, and determined, but at the same time, he’s obviously missing his wife and two kids and his family in general. But at the same time, he’s as strong as I’ve ever seen. He’s the most upbeat out of all of us.”
You can watch a video about protests against Captain Watson’s arrest here:
Denmark: What Are You Thinking?
Critics are baffled by Denmark’s stance, given the country’s reputation for environmental consciousness. Denmark, a nation celebrated for its green policies and progressive values, now finds itself under fire for keeping Watson behind bars and considering Japan’s extradition demand. Many wonder why a European Union member is willing to align with Japan, especially when the allegations against Watson are rooted in his efforts to enforce international conservation laws at sea.
Environmentalists point to economic motives and the influence of the Faroe Islands, a Danish territory infamous for its controversial whaling practices, as potential reasons behind the Danish government’s stance. Todd commented, “The optics are very bad for Denmark. The longer they hold him, the worse it looks for them. The repercussions on their reputation are going to catch up to them if they continue to hold him. If they extradite him, that’ll even be worse.”
While detained in Greenland, Captain Paul Watson has appealed to President Emmanuel Macron for political asylum in France, where he had resided for a few years before his detention. This was just days before the deadline for the decision to extradite him expired on October 23rd, 2024, but on that day a court in Greenland once again decided to extend his custody until November 13.
Watch an interview with Captain Paul Watson here:
When The Seas Die, We Die
Watson’s imprisonment is not just a legal battle but a deeply personal ordeal. Supporters, including famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, Dolphin Project Founder Ric O’Barry, and actor Pierce Brosnan, emphasize the risks Watson faces if extradited to Japan, where the judicial system has an extremely high conviction rate.
The arrest has also reinvigorated global conversations about the urgent need to protect marine life. As Watson famously said, “When the seas die, we all die.” His work underscores the ocean’s critical role in regulating Earth’s climate and sustaining biodiversity.
Annie Abram, an organizer of a protest to free Paul Watson, sent the following message to the captain: “Thank you for being our hero. Thank you for dedicating 50 years of your life. You need to be honored, and I appreciate you endlessly. We owe you our life, our oxygen, as 55% of our oxygen comes from the ocean. You have been protecting this by protecting the whales.”
In a final plea, activists urge the public to visit paulwatsonfoundation.org to sign a petition demanding Watson’s release. More than 200,000 people have already signed, adding their voices to a campaign that highlights Watson’s plight and the larger fight for ocean conservation.
Watch a documentary about Captain Paul Watson’s early work here:
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