Actress “Hanoi Jane” Fonda became known for her hippie activism in the 1960s, culminating in her 1972 decision to pose on one of North Vietnam’s anti-aircraft guns.
Even after this controversy, Fonda stayed with her far-Left activism.
Now, she’s campaigning for a treaty to save marine creatures that are hunted for food. Say goodbye to sharks, swordfish, octopus, and tuna on your plate. Fonda says they feel joy, feel sadness when they lose their offspring, and “are our brethren in the ocean.”
The 85-year-old Oscar winner told a news conference Tuesday that these marine creatures “play with us and they feel emotions — and how dare we so lack the humility that we will risk killing them off for money and for food.”
For almost four years, Fonda said, she has been working with the controversial group Greenpeace, and she came to New York to deliver 5.5 million signatures from people in 157 countries demanding a strong Global Ocean Treaty to Rena Lee, president of the U.N. negotiations. A key aim of the treaty is to turn 30% of the world’s oceans into marine sanctuaries by 2030 where fishing is banned.
“I’ve swum with some of the most magnificent creatures, and I know that they may very well be more intelligent than me,” Fonda said. “And I love them, and I think that we should all understand that we’re talking about saving the last great wild animals that are hunted for food.”
“The ocean is our ally,” Fonda said. “Let us love and respect it.”
Hervé Berville, France’s secretary of state for the sea who sat next to Fonda, said he believes “we have the political momentum” during negotiations that end on March 3 to overcome the remaining challenges and reach an agreement on a treaty protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Fonda says time is running out.
“Even dogs don’t poop in their kennel, because they know that the kennel provides security and a home for them,” she said. “We’re pooping in our kennel.”
Humans are destroying things they don’t understand, Fonda said.
“Why the treaty is important is it will force us to behave right, and to save this great ally that we have called the ocean — the one ocean on this blue planet that can save us,” she said. “There’s a lot at stake.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.