A group of animal activists were at the Honda Center Monday calling for the suspension of Anaheim Ducks defensemen Clayton Stoner, who killed a well-known B.C. grizzly bear in 2013, and is currently awaiting trial on five separate charges.
The event was organized by Judie Mancuso, and she expected 80-100 people to turn up, when reportedly only 20 or so people did.
Protestors against Clayton Stoner outside the Ducks' home opener. pic.twitter.com/P9gMbdU06m
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) October 13, 2015
The attendees rallied against Stoner, as the Associated Press reported they said “Killing is not a sport! Play a real sport!” the protesters shouted in unison. “Shame on the Ducks!
Mansuco had some strong words for Stoner, comparing him to Michael Vick, and saying people have to come together and protest by voicing their words together, otherwise it may not be heard.
“The entire globe is against trophy hunting right now,” Mancuso said. “If most of these hockey fans understood that was the issue, I think most of them would be on our side.”
“If people didn’t have outrage with the NFL, Michael Vick would have gotten away with it,” Mancuso said. “The only way that anything is going to happen is if we do this. If there’s not public outcry, nothing is going to happen, so we’ve got to try.”
For his part, Stoner released a statement back when this story broke saying he obtained a licence legally, and will continue to hunt.
“I grew up hunting and fishing in British Columbia and continue to enjoy spending time with my family outdoors. I applied for and received a grizzly bear hunting licence through a British Columbia limited-entry lottery last winter and shot a grizzly bear with my licence while hunting with my father, uncle and a friend in May. I love to hunt and fish and will continue to do so with my family and friends in British Columbia.”
Stoner is set to face trial Nov. 13th, and if he’s convicted, the maximum penalty is a $250,000 fine and a two-year prison term.
