ANIMAL liberationists staged a graphic anti-whaling demonstration in Melbourne yesterday.

Protesting against the slaughter of almost 1000 whales in Australian waters, they unveiled a giant Japanese flag outside Japan's consulate.

A woman, painted red, sat in a pool of fake blood in the flag's centre, where the rising sun should be.

About 200 protesters had banners reading, "Japan's Shame" and "Ban Whaling".

Animal Liberation Victoria anti-whaling campaigner Noah Hannibal declared it a success. "We think it sent a strong message," he said.

"We also had a gong there and we beat it 985 times, each time to represent one of the whales that's being killed."

"We've tried all sorts of things. We've tried peaceful representations," he said.

"But we feel like they're not listening, so we're going to be stepping up our protests.

"When these animals are harpooned, it's a horrific death . . . So we will be doing everything we can to stop this slaughter," he said.

Mr Hannibal said the consulate was yet to respond.

"They shut their doors, so we're waiting for their response," he said.

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