Students Protest Having Prom At SeaWorld, Demand Freedom For Orcas

This post was written by Melissa Cronin on The Dodo.

One San Diego student is gaining ground in his campaign to move Mt. Carmel High School’s prom from SeaWorld by launching a petition that has already gained over 600 signatures. Zach Affolter set up the petition after he noticed friends were upset about the location of their prom.

 “They were just like, ‘Hey, our prom’s at SeaWorld … I’m still going to go but I really don’t feel good about going,’” said Affolter who attends a nearby high school.

While he told local 10News that he understands it may be too late for the school to move the prom — the event is scheduled for May 31 — he has been gaining lots of attention and traction for the cause to boycott the marine parks. The petition is also aimed at the district’s middle and elementary schools, which still take classes on field trips to SeaWorld.

The petition reads:

Affolter notes that his goal is not to close SeaWorld — but for the company to end its captive orca breeding program and release its whales to sea pens.

A Poway Unified School District statement reads:

Visit The Dodo to learn more about SeaWorld and orcas in captivity.