TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — As of Thursday, more than 10,000 fans around the world have signed a petition asking Hanson to cancel their March 11 concert at SeaWorld in Orlando.
One fan started the petition on an online platform for social reform called change.org a couple weeks ago.
The petition letter begins by saying, “We’ve followed you around the world – from Tulsa to Jamaica – and back again. We support your projects, camp out in the snow, rain, and sun to see you. We’ve spent over 20 years fighting for your music and your vision, believing in you every step of the way. But we can’t defend your support of SeaWorld.”
According to some fans, they are asking the band to reconsider playing at SeaWorld because of numerous allegations of animal cruelty at the theme park.
The petition continues on, “Orcas swim in endless circles and break their teeth by gnawing in frustration on the concrete corners and metal bars of their tiny tanks. Dolphins are impregnated, sometimes forcibly after being drugged; a polar bear recently died after her companion of 20 years was torn away from her; and three infant marine mammals, including a 3-month-old baby orca, died there in just 3 months.”
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), dozens of bands and musicians have canceled shows at SeaWorld after fans protested.
A group made up of a dozen fans from Tulsa to Australia ordered a cake from a local downtown Tulsa bakery that was delivered to 3CG Records, Hanson’s recording studio. The cake has a whale design on it and reads, “Hanson, we love you, please don’t play at SeaWorld.”
For more information or to sign the petition, you can visit change.org. There is an option to remain anonymous if you wish to do so.