Jackass star Steve-O was cited for changing a freeway sign in San Diego to protest against SeaWorld. However, the star will not be facing any criminal charges.
Steve-O, born Stephen Gilchrist Glover, changed the freeway sign on May 25. However, his identity remained a mystery until a video was posted on YouTube in August, Daily Mail UK reports.
Steve-O is known for his crazy antics in Jackass. This time, he decided to do it for a cause. At the beginning of the video, Steve-O says, “I’m putting my foot down for Shamu.” He then attempted to climb the freeway sign but was unsuccessful. After two days, he finally reached the sign and changed the word “DRIVE” to “SUCKS” making the sign read, “Sea World Sucks.”
“If doing that was wrong, I don’t wanna be right. Screw you SeaWorld!”
The California Department of Transportation has since removed the taped sign. Steve-O was charged with an infraction of California’s vehicle code, as what he did placed motorists in harm’s way. The California Highway Patrol also suggested vandalism and trespassing charges.
SeaWorld has long been scrutinized for mistreating orcas. In 2013, the documentary Blackfish was released, which focused on one of the orcas in SeaWorld named Tilikum who was involved in the death of three individuals working for SeaWorld. It also touches on the consequences of keeping orcas captive.
After the release of the documentary, SeaWorld released a statement that the documentary was “inaccurate and misleading.” They also announced that they will be upgrading their whale tanks in different SeaWorld location to get back their visitors and pacify investors.
On Monday, the city attorney’s office said that they filed a traffic citation against Steve-O, which is similar to a speeding ticket. Steve-O is slapped with a fine of $239 that he has to pay before December 22 or he has to go to traffic court.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which has been criticizing Sea World for some time, supports Steve-O’s cause and has agreed to pay the fine for his citation, LA Times reports.
[Image via Steam Daily]
