SeaWorld Speech at Goldman Sachs Conference to Draw Protest From PETA

Protesters Point to Dwindling Attendance and Cruelty to Orcas as Two Reasons Not to Bank on Abusement Park

For Immediate Release:
May 30, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Since the release of the hit documentary Blackfish, people around the world have been horrified to learn that the orcas at SeaWorld are separated from their families and confined to tiny tanks that, to them, are the size of a bathtub—and SeaWorld’s attendance has plummeted. That’s why when attendees arrive for the Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference in New York’s Financial District on Monday, PETA members will be out in force with the message that investing in SeaWorld is a losing proposition, both morally and financially.

When:   Monday, June 2, 8 a.m.

Where:  Goldman Sachs Conference Center, 200 West St. (near the intersection with Murray Street), New York

“The more people learn about how orcas suffer in SeaWorld’s tiny tanks, the less likely they are to buy a ticket to this cruel park—and its dropping attendance and low earnings reflect that,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders. “Instead of inviting SeaWorld to speak at its conference, Goldman Sachs should call on SeaWorld to release the orcas to seaside sanctuaries.”

SeaWorld has taken a financial hit since the release of Blackfish, and conference host Goldman Sachs is a manager on one of the theme park’s current outstanding bank loans. SeaWorld has experienced other fallout as well: Musicians have canceled shows there, schools have canceled field trips, and California legislators have introduced a bill that would retire captive orcas to large sea pens.

For more information, please visit SeaWorldOfHurt.com.