Steve-O Climbs Crane, Sets Off Fireworks In SeaWorld Protest; Somehow Doesn't Staple Any Part Of His Anatomy

Steve-O, he of previously-done-for-stapling-his-scrotum-to-his-leg fame, has been arrested after climbing a 100ft crane in Hollywood and inflating a giant orca balloon emblazoned with the words, ‘SeaWorld Sucks,’ before setting off some fireworks.

The stunt was an effort to highlight the continuing plight of orcas in captivity at the world famous resort; an issue brought to the world’s attention in 2013’s excellent documentary, Blackfish.

Steve-O has always struck me as a perpetually likeable sort, despite (or perhaps precisely because of) all the stupid, reckless shit he and the Jackass crew get up to. So - whatever you may think about celebrities backing political causes; I happen to think there’s not much inherently wrong with that - to have him throw his weight behind a cause like this makes me like him even more. It’s not the first time he’s taken aim at them.

Sure, SeaWorld has seen profits plunge 84% since Blackfish, but if you ask me, that’s still 16% shy of a healthy plunge for the orca-botherers.

Steve-O was charged with creating a false emergency, vandalism, and several fireworks violations; as well as sentenced to three years’ probation, and fined $14,000 for the emergency response. According to NBC, under terms of his probation he now, ‘cannot use possess fireworks, even ones labeled “safe and sane.” He was [also] ordered to stay 100 yards away from the “Hollywood Entertainment District,” and can’t do any non-permitted stunts or pranks in in Los Angeles County.’ He’s scheduled to report to jail in December.

Here’s Steve-O’s Instagram post about the event:

I just got sentenced to 30 days in LA County jail, and this is what I have to say about it: "Considering I've become a clean and sober, dog-rescuing vegan, I must say I'm ready to go to jail— not just because it will bring so much attention to the plight of orcas in captivity, but because it's nice to let people know I haven't lost my edge. What can I say, I'm a jackass. My whole crane-climbing, fireworks debacle really turned out to be pretty meaningful in the end, too. I mean, if your goal is to make a statement about captivity, you may as well get yourself locked up! To help give back to the City of Los Angeles, I launched a campaign today to raise money for at-risk, inner city youth, by raffling off chances to win an all-expenses-paid trip to be my red carpet, VIP guest at the taping of my Showtime comedy special next month, which is called "Steve-O: Guilty As Charged". There is a link to a new crazy stunt video I just made to let people enter to win in my bio. Los Angeles, I love you, thank you for everything!" -Steve-O (cartoon by @mikehillier_design)

A photo posted by Steve-O (@officiallysteveo) on Oct 7, 2015 at 10:13am PDT