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Over 14,000 people have signed a petition opposing Metallica's booking as the Saturday night headliner at Glastonbury, after it was revealed that frontman James Hetfield would narrate a new US documentary about bear hunting.
A controversial booking from the get-go, festival-goers have questioned Metallica's suitability to headline Glastonbury since they were announced in May of this year. Now, since Hetfield's association with History Channel show The Hunt, opposition has grown. Click here to see - or sign the petition.
In a statement to the NME, one of the organisers of the petition has explained the reasons behind the petition, explaining that bear hunts often result in a slow, painful death for the animals, despite claims that they deliver a 'clean kill'.
"This is not hunting for the table, for food or survival. Bear meat can be eaten but it rarely is. Nor is hunting for conservation," says the anonymous spokesperson. "The Kodiak Bear Hunt is done using 'traditional' methods, long/compound bow and Black Powder single shot rifles. These rarely result in a "clean kill" as you would get from a high velocity hunting rifle. Often the animal is wounded and is put through a great deal of pain that they may or may not survive. Animals that have been wounded are far more dangerous than healthy ones."
"For a great many people the very idea that it is OK to hunt is abhorrent. To even raise the question is ridiculous. We share this planet with other living beings.
"It is our duty to protect them from their greatest threat, ourselves. I would like to add that this is not particularly against Metallica, I would do the same if any other band found itself in the same position. With fame comes responsibility and much as I applaud the work that James and the other members of the band has done in other causes, this does not let them off the hook in this case. It is also a great opportunity for them to stand up for a cause and make a statement against big game hunting."
Metallica will headline the Saturday night of Glastonbury 2014, with Arcade Fire topping the bill on Friday night and Kasabian on Sunday.
Below: festival headliners no one wanted - until they saw them perform
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