DECEMBER 11, 2005: SEA WORLD "FREE CORKY" PROTEST ON 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAPTURE
SAN DIEGO -- On Dec. 11, 2005, and coincidentally the 36th anniversary of Corky's capture as a four year old orca in Pender Harbour, British Columbia, Sea World hosted an "Ice Breaker" party for the 16th Biennial Marine Mammalogy Conference in San Diego. This opportunity to stand up for Corky we could not pass up! Thanks to the resolve of Paul and Helena of Orca Lab with a conference call and many emails, a plan evolved. Local San Diego animal rights activist, Barbara Gates, volunteered to be my guest at the party and be a human protest sign for Corky. Susan Berta of Orca Network drew a beautiful graphic of an orca with "FREE CORKY" on Barbara's back, which she covered with a shawl as we entered the gates at Sea World. Other activists from the conference wore "FREE CORKY" t-shirts under their clothes and brought in FREE CORKY buttons and flyers advocating Sea World retire Corky to a sanctuary in British Columbia.
 Barbara circulated around the party held outside at night with her FREE CORKY message on her back, as I took pictures. The others unveiled their FREE CORKY t-shirts, and handed out the flyers and buttons. We were not getting much attention from the 500 or more guests until Sea World security arrived and tried to throw us out, and a confrontation ensued in the middle of the party. Barbara bravely stood her ground and demanded her right to free speech, and refused to cover the FREE CORKY message on her back. A smooth talking PR guy arrived and we discussed our plan to retire Corky, and thanked them for bringing us the attention we wanted for Corky at the party! Finally the head of security, a guy named Love, arrived to say this was private property and if Barbara didn't cover her back and we stop passing out our flyers, we would be thrown out. Again she refused. I stressed we were not being disruptive and were leaving soon anyway. They went into a huddle, and Mr. Love came back and said we could stay. We took some group pictures with Barbara and left. A big thanks to Barbara for staying hours out in the cold with her bare back, and for standing up for her rights on behalf of Corky, and being a real "Icebreaker" at the Sea World party. There is no doubt Sea World knows we are still here fighting for Corky!
 | | "Alternate Icebreaker" at Irish Pub. |
We later joined the "Alternate Icebreaker" at a local Irish Pub, where folks of conscience gathered who would not attend an event at a captive facility like Sea World. There we drank some Guinness for Corky and held up pieces of Corky's Freedom Banner in front of a sign that read: SEA WORLD: RETIRE CORKY NOW!!! Dec. 11, 2005 – 36 YEARS IN CAPTIVITY.
For a statement and retirement proposal for Corky see: www.orcalab.org
For more information, please contact:
Michael Reppy, Director, Project Thursday's Child
mreppy@tchild.org
Tel/Fax: (415) 381-4232
Photos from the Sea World "Free Willy" Protest in San Diego!
 |  | | "Confrontation with Sea World Security at party. | "Alternate Icebreaker" at Irish Pub. |
 |  | | Barbara posing with Sea World employee. | Group picture after security decision we would not be thrown out. |
DECEMBER 18, 2004: CONCERT FOR CORKY IN MILL VALLEY
WHAT: HOUSE CONCERT WITH ERIKA LUCKETT - Hosted by Michael Reppy
DATE: SATURDAY, DEC. 18, 2004
TIMES: Open House 4-8 pm, Concert 8 pm ($10 donation), Dancing 10 pm on. (Bring your favorite CDs!)
WHERE: 361 S. MORNINGSUN AVE., MILL VALLEY, CA
HONORING ORCA WHALE "CORKY"
COMMEMORATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER CAPTURE
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AS 4 YEAR OLD.
WITH:
- CORKY'S FREEDOM BANNER
- ART WORK BY CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD CALLING FOR CORKY'S RELEASE BACK TO HER FAMILY
PLEASE RSVP to Michael Reppy at: (415) 381-4232, cell (415) 686-0529 or mreppy@tchild.org. Space is limited. Reservation necessary. Holiday goodies will be served, but bring any food and drink you would like to share.
ABOUT ERIKA LUCKETT:
Erika was born in Mexico and raised in Venezuela and Brazil, where she savored the richness of the Amazon, the urban rhythms of Sao Paulo, the percolating warmth of the Caribbean. As a teenager she made her way to France, playing in the subways where her own concoction of Folk/Latin/Jazz/Pop echoed in the underground. Her music radiates life and the wisdom culled from meeting the world head on with an open heart and an exuberant spirit.
After France, the multi-lingual Luckett made her way to the Berklee School of Music where she earned a degree in film scoring. She founded the world jazz ensemble, Wild Mango with whom she recorded three albums and toured internationally playing the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Barbados Jazz Festival and the Aspen Jazz Festival, among others.
In 1999 she leapt into the world of solo singer/songwriters and released three albums: "Tinted Glass"(2000), "My Little Crime"(2001), and "The New Orleans Sessions"(2002), winning many awards in the process. Erika's new album is due for release Jan. 22, 2005, at the Kilauea Theater, Kauai.
Writes Performing Songwriter Magazine: "Erika Luckett's voice commands attention with every smoky, sexy, intoxicating exhalation. She's a little bit Annie Lennox, some Ella Fitzgerald, with a hint of Edith Piaf for good measure."
I am so pleased to have Erika singing in Corky's honor: a very special, talented, and big-hearted person, and a very special whale!!!
For more on Erika, please visit www.erikaluckett.com.
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December 2002: FREE CORKY! OPEN HOUSE AT SKIPPER MICHAEL REPPY'S HOME IN MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Banner patch by 5th graders at Valley Oak Elementary School, Davis, CA. |
HOLIDAY & FREE CORKY OPEN HOUSE
Come and see an exhibit of the life of Corky, the longest surviving captive orca whale in the world. This event will also commemorate the 33rd anniversary of her capture in British Columbia on December 11, 1969.
See children's whale art from "Corky's Freedom Banner," get a "Freedom for Corky" poster, and support the retirement plan for Corky to return home to her family pod.
When and where:
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-6 pm
WHERE: At Michael Reppy's house, 361 S. Morningsum Avenue in Mill Valley, California
For further details or directions, please call (415) 381-4232.
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December 2001: Thursday's Child Presents Free Corky Exhibit in San Diego
 Project Thursday's Child of Earth Island Institute is presenting a Free Corky Exhibit in San Diego to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of Corky's capture on Dec. 11, 1969. The exhibit features the CORKY FREEDOM BANNER, a story board history of Corky's life called "CORKY'S STORY" and "A RETIREMENT PLAN FOR CORKY", calling on Sea World to retire Corky and begin a rehab program for her return home. A beautiful new poster entitled "HELP CORKY GO HOME" will be given out and distributed around San Diego.
Exhibit Schedule:
- Sunday, Dec 9, 10AM - 5PM at the Casa Del Prado, accross from the Prado
Restaurant in Balboa Park.
- Tues., Dec. 11 10AM to 5PM at the Casa Real Room, Aztec Center, San Diego State University. (This is the 32nd anniversary of Corky's Capture)
- Sat. & Sun., Dec 15-16, 10AM to 4PM at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect, La Jolla.
- Mon. & Tues., Dec. 17 & 18, 12-5PM at the Santa Clara Recreation Center,
1008 Santa Clara Pl., Mission Beach.
Information: Michael Reppy, Tel.: (858) 488-1589, E-mail: mreppy@tchild.org
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Thursday's Child
New sail hoisted in San Francisco Bay |
December 11, 1999: 30th Anniversary of Corky's Capture
THURSDAY'S CHILD sailed San Francisco Bay today in commemoration of the sad day 30 years ago of the capture of CORKY at Pender Harbor in British Columbia. CORKY is the longest surviving orca whale in captivity in the world, held at Sea World in San Diego.
It was a beautiful, sunny, day with light airs on the bay as THURSDAY'S CHILD glided under the Golden Gate with her spinnaker set adorned with a large orca and the words "FREE CORKY". Will Morris, Free Corky Activist, gave a heart-felt toast to Corky and plea to Anheuser Busch, the owners of Sea World, to release Corky to her family pod in British Columbia.
A letter to August Busch, CEO of Anheuser Busch, calling for Corky's
release and freedom, was signed by 21 people and faxed to him. Please
send your fax or e-mail, one sentence is enough, to:
Mr. August Busch III
CEO Anheuser Busch
1, Busch Place
St. Louis, MO 63188
Fax: (314) 577-2900
E-mail: budmaster@budweiser.com
Sea World San Diego
Fax: (619) 226-3996
E-mail: shamu@seaworld.org
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May 1999: PRESS RELEASE
THURSDAY'S CHILD SAILS TO SUPPORT
"FREE CORKY" BANNER CARAVAN
On
Saturday,
May 22 The famous 60' Ocean Racer THURSDAY'S CHILD will sail along
the San Francisco city front in support of freedom for CORKY, the orca
whale held captive at Sea World San Diego.
THURSDAY'S CHILD will fly her spinnaker decorated
with a whale and "FREE CORKY" while freedom riders on the shore display
a huge banner made mostly by school children calling for CORKY's return
to her family in the wild. The caravan is making the pilgrimage from San
Diego to famous orca researcher Dr. Paul Spong's ORCA LAB in British Columbia,
where CORKY’s Mother and pod return every year.
CORKY
was captured at 4 years old, and is the longest surviving orca in captivity
(30 years). Corky is strong, but how much longer can she last!
Just this month another captive orca died, KATERINA, at SeaWorld in San
Antonio, Texas. CORKY is the perfect candidate for return to the
wild. She could be taken to a netted off bay or "halfway" house
near ORCA LAB, then released to her family when ready.
KEIKO, the "FREE WILLY" orca, now in a sea pen in Iceland is preparing
to be the first captive orca whale returned to the wild.
Skipper Michael Reppy in association with EARTH
ISAND INSTITUTE has recently brought THURSDAY'S CHILD back to the bay where
she was the first sailboat to break the Clippership record New York to
San Francisco around Cape Horn in 1989. She has been refitted and
sports stylized orca whales painted on her bows by native British Columbian
artist William Wasden.
Time:
Sat. May 22, 12:00 noon at the Marina
Green for the Banner Caravan Rally.
THURSDAY'S CHILD will leave guest dock
(gate 5 of San Francisco Marina, past the St. Francis Yacht Club along the
sea front) at 10:00 am, and sail along the sea front from 11:00 to 1:00 pm.
Great photo opportunities from the sea front with Golden Gate Bridge as
back drop.
Contacts:
Michael Reppy, Skipper Thursday's Child:
(415) 383-3149
Mark Berman, Earth Island Institute: (415) 788-3666 |
September 1998: VISIT TO CORKY (SHAMU)
Corky in her tank at Sea World. |
Led by local “FREE CORKY” activist Lori Freiberger just back from a Summer
at Paul Spong’s ORCA LAB in British Columbia, Scot Shaffer and I had a
very special encounter with Corky.
We entered Sea World in San Diego and headed straight for the
orca tanks where we found Corky alone in the observation tank swimming
slow circles. At times she would roll over and swim on her back and
at times reversed directions – all with eyes closed in a smooth trace-like
state. She had obviously learned these survival skills after 28 years
in jail.
But Corky was no space-case! A Sea World employee
dressed in “Shamu” costume came in and Corky immediately made a bee-line
to the window to check out the “imposter”. We were all awed by this
display of awareness and curiosity. |
TRIP TO SEA WORLD TO SEE CORKY
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Before flying home to Mill Valley, I went to Sea World in
San Diego and saw the killer whale show featuring five orcas. CORKY was
one of them, but I didn’t know which one.
It was very disturbing seeing captive animals after being out on THURSDAY’S
CHILD and seeing so much marine life living free and naturally in
"their" world. But how impressive they were breeching out of the water
with their huge bodies and doing all the tricks SO WELL, and showing their
close bonding to their trainers. The show is very slick and laced with
PR to convince the audience the animals are well cared for, like medical
check-ups every two weeks.
We need to get the truth out about the stress the animals are under
living in small concrete tanks and forced to perform; and the mortality
rate. Last year two orcas died in captivity: FINNA at the Vancouver aquarium,
and YAKA at Marine World in Vallejo. YAKA was from CORKY’s family - "A" pod
in British Columbia. CORKY has been in captivity for 29 years; all five
of her babies have died within a few months. Think how much she has given
to entertain us in all those shows. Is it not right she should be set free
and go home to her family – "A" pod, in the waters around Vancouver Island?
This will be PROJECT THURSDAY’S CHILD first
mission: to publicize the plight of CORKY and other captive orcas.
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