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15-year-old Danielle Bethune - Source: Close up -
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The news that Pete Bethune is on his way home after five months in a Japanese jail has been music to the ears of his two teenage daughters.
It has been a tough time for 15-year-old Danielle and 13-year-old Alycia Bethune who haven't seen their father in almost a year.
Bethune was part of the crew of the Ady Gill, the high-tech speedboat formerly known as Earthrace, which was sunk by the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru 2 in the Southern Ocean on January 6 this year.
The speedboat had been part of efforts to harass Japanese
whalers in the Southern Ocean.
The anti-whaling activist was caught and held by the crew of the
Shonan Maru 2 on February 15 when he boarded the vessel to make a
citizen's arrest of the ship's captain for allegedly ramming and
sinking his ship and the "attempted murder" of the crew on
board.
He was then taken to Japan, where he was arrested and charged. Bethune has been there ever since, until the Tokyo District Court handed him a two-year suspended sentence, though many in Japan wanted him to serve a longer sentence.
Bethune's daughters wanted to visit him while he was in Japan but decided against it after seeing violent scenes outside the court where he was charged.
Pro-whaling Japanese protesters have called Bethune a terrorist and racist, one even calling him a "dog with rabies".
Alycia says it was hard to see so much hate directed at her father. "It's hard to believe people hate him that much that they're screaming at his trial," she says.
"I'm kind of glad we didn't go over, because I think it'd be pretty scary walking through with all these people who hate you and hate your dad and they are holding up cans of whale meat and they look pretty scary," says Danielle.
But they did have contact with their father, through the odd censored letter. Bethune has been writing to his girls from his Japanese cell, where he describes life in prison.
"Hey there Danielle, well so much has happened since I last wrote. Same guard, same cell, same s**t food."
He also expressed his fear that he may not see his girls for a long time.
"The delays have been really frustrating. I do feel there is corruption in the system here. There have been so many delays, that I don't want to hold my breath. Each time I start getting my hopes up, I get disappointed."
The girls say while they miss not having their dad around for long periods of time, it has become a way of life for them.
Also, they say they are proud of their father, with Alycia now wanting to become an activist one day.
"I became a vegetarian two years ago because I think animal slaughter is cruel and I gave up. I'd like to help save the animals, probably mainly the ones like all the native birds."
The girls say once Bethune gets home, they plan to lock him up in the garage to stop him getting himself into trouble again.
How do you view whaling protester Peter Bethune? Share your opinion on our Poll on the NZ News page or on our messageboard below:
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentSavetheoceans said on 2010-07-17 @ 14:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
Yes Robert Muldoonism prevails.Whaling in the southern ocean sanctuary should be outlawed, we have an opportunity to unite with Australia and other South Pacific nations and just say NO, but yes for National it's business as usual. This governmen has also increased by 27% its fishing of the critically endangered Blue Fin Tuna. A disgusting business again with Japan.Are we insane? The world's large fish stocks have been depleted 90% since the 1950's. http://www.tedprize.org/sylvia-earle/
menacerec said on 2010-07-12 @ 23:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
We voted in the kiwi equivalent of George Bush and we are now paying for it in so many different ways. Half of the country still honestly believe that John is doing a good job, completely ignoring the statistics and facts that continuously support the opposite. Congratulations New Zealand, this is the most embarrassing PM since Robert Muldoon. The whole world is watching us right now.
garbo1955 said on 2010-07-10 @ 08:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
I see a whole lot of negative comments about Pete and I think that those people should remind themselves of two fundamental things ... Firstly taking whales in this way is both immoral and illegal ... secondly you are critical of a man that has actually chosen to try and do something about it - which is a lot more than you have .... Finally there can be no doubt that Pete is a driven man and sometimes does things that are risky, but he is no fool and deserves proper support.
Singlemalt said on 2010-07-08 @ 19:21 NZDT: Report abusive post
buffoon's an idiot. What did he think the skipper of the shonan maru would do. Oh, Pete, you've got me! Peter is to blame for that collision. The video shows it all. The MSA report is being delayed because it shows Peter in the wrong. He should be jailed.
Toad said on 2010-07-08 @ 09:19 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bethune is obviously more concerned with whales than his own family given the comments from one of his daughters (TVNZ last night) about his long absences during their lives. While I agree with his motives there are better ways to solve the problem.