Sea Shepherd Kicks Out Peter Bethune

Radical animal rights group Sea Shepherd has expelled Peter Bethune, one of their members who is currently on trial in Japan for crimes he committed during one of the group’s anti-whaling missions (trespassing, vandalism, possession of a knife, obstructing business and assault). Why? Apparently because his decision to carry a bow & arrows was in violation of Sea Shepherd’s “non-violent” mission:

“The bow and arrows revealed to be on the Sea Shepherd vessel Ady Gil, and in the possession of Captain Bethune on that ship, are absolutely not in line with Sea Shepherd’s policy,” the statement reads.

“Even though we know Captain Bethune’s objectives were sincere, that the bow and arrows were never used in Sea Shepherd actions and that he certainly never intended to use the bow and arrows against any person, his decision to bring them on a Sea Shepherd campaign is unacceptable.

“Therefore, although Sea Shepherd will continue to support Captain Bethune through his legal battle in Japan, Sea Shepherd will not select him to participate in future campaigns.

“Captain Bethune is an amazing and brave conservationist, he is a hero for the whales, but unfortunately he will no longer be formally associated with, or be a representative of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, because his methods are not in complete alignment with the organisations [sic].”

However, as the video clip below shows, Sea Shepherd is lying. Bethune’s possession of the weaponry was actually known about and accepted by Sea Shepherd’s leaders. They even let him show off the bow and arrows on their TV show:

Earlier this week, Bethune’s wife claimed that Sea Shepherd kicked her husband out of the organization because they thought it might help him avoid jail time. However, in a more recent interview, she has stated that she fears the move helped Japanese prosecutors argue that Bethune is so extreme that even well-known pro-violence organization like Sea Shepherd wouldn’t accept his actions.