Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been under arrest in Greenland for roughly one month thanks to a Japanese warrant.
According to Yahoo! News, Watson's arrest was thanks to the Japanese coast guard seeking him out over a 2010 confrontation with a Japanese whaling research. Watson was accused at the time of "obstructing the crew's official duties by ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives at the whaling ship."
Watson – who you might know as the founder of the Sea Shepherd activist group and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation – is potentially being extradited to Japan to face charges. Among the critics of these charges is Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier, who is planning on participating in a peaceful protest on August 12 at the parliament building in Copenhagen, Denmark asking for Greenland (an autonomous arm of Denmark) to release Watson.
"Denmark! I will be in Copenhagen on August 12 to demand the release of our friend Captain Paul Watson, global environmental Hero, co-founder of Greenpeace, founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and more recently 'Neptune’s Pirates'," said Duplantier on his social media. "Paul is held captive by Denmark and scheduled to be extradited to Japan where he would spend the rest of his life in jail, because of his efforts to protect marine wildlife around the world's oceans.
"We need to get him out of this situation immediately. His work is the perfect example of constructive 'Civil Disobedience'. He's only trying to slow down activities that are illegal in the first place.
"Whaling has been banned by international laws since 1986. In his own words 'IF THE OCEANS DIE, WE DIE'. Paul also said 'I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO'. He sees the importance of this fight for the Oceans and ultimately the survival of life on earth. This sums up why we need to stand for him before it's too late.
"The decision of his extradition will be made on August 15 (in less than 2 weeks). We intend to be there and rally as many people as possible to sway the minister of Justice and the Prime Minister's decision.
"Regardless of the outcome, Paul Watson will undoubtedly go down in history as a Hero, and this crucial chapter will be remembered as well as the people who supported him in this difficult situation.
"You can meet me in person in front of the parliament in Copenhagen on August 12 at 11:11am or show your support online by relaying the information about our peaceful protest. ill you join me in this fight? I'm counting on you! Wherever you are!"
Watson was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland where his ship was docked. Watson's detention in Greenland has been approved up to August 15.
