Marchers Press for Lolita's Retirement from Seaquarium

MIAMI, FL — Protesters are expected to march on the Miami Seaquarium beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday to press for Lolita's release.

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The orca whale has been one of the star attractions at the Seaquarium for decades and organizers of Saturday's march say it's time for her to start a new life outside of the confines of her Miami enclosure.

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The march is organized by Shut Down Palace, Compassionworks International, Boycott SeaWorld and ReEarth.

"Hundreds will march on Miami Seaquarium to urge the company to retire Lolita to a sanctuary," organizers explained. "Lolita has been held captive by the Miami Seaquarium for over 46 years in the smallest and oldest whale tank in North America."

Check-in for the Miracle March for Lolita begins at 9 a.m. along Virginia Key Beach Park just across the street from the Miami Seaquarium.

Speakers include Telemundo star David Chocarro, his wife Carolina Laursen, entertainer Robbyne Kaamil and activist Carrie LeBlanc.

Also supporting the campaign to retire Lolita is actor Eugenio Derbez of the forthcoming movie, “Overboard” with Anna Faris.

"Forty-seven years ago a young orca whale was herded into a cove in Puget Sound and stolen from her family," said one activist. "Her name is Lolita and she is still held in lonely captivity. We call on Miami Seaquarium to release Lolita so she can be reunited with her mother, now aged about 80, and the rest of her family. Lolita’s life means more than the amusements of a zoo or aquarium. Free Lolita now."

Marchers will make their way from Virginia Key Beach Park along Rickenbacker Causeway to the Seaquarium.

They will return to Virginia Key Beach Park at 1 p.m. where they will have arranged music, performances, vegan food trucks and additional speakers, including 6-year old activist and winner of PETA's Cutest Vegan Kid's Contest 2017, Khendall Lester.

The event is expected to wrap up around 3 p.m.

Photo by Matthew Hoelscher via Flickr