The cast of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials has come under fire for stealing ancient Pueblo artifacts while filming at a Native American site in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A Care2 petition demanding that Dylan O’Brien, director Wes Ball and other cast members apologize for disrespecting the Pueblo community was all started by 19-year-old fan Maeve Cunningham after O’Brien admitted that he and several other actors took things from the filming location, despite being given strict orders not to, during an interview with Live! With Kelly and Michael. The petition has so far generated well over 20,000 signatures.
“The Native Americans from that area, the Pueblo people, have spoken out, angered and disrespected. O’Brien, the film’s director, and other crew members involved need to apologize to Pueblo tribal leaders for their behavior and return any artifacts they removed from the site,” the petition reads.
“Native American culture and communities deserve more respect than you apparently showed while filming Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. Fans are furious that you would steal Pueblo artifacts despite being told not to. Please publicly apologize to Pueblo community leaders and return what you stole.”
During the course of the interview, Dylan O’Brien revealed that the cast of the Maze Runner sequel shot part of the movie on an ancient Indian burial ground.
“It hadn’t been used for filming ever before … They gave us this big speech when we got there to shoot, and they said, ‘Don’t take anything. Respect the grounds,’ ” he said. “They were very strict about littering and don’t take any artifacts like rocks, skulls — anything like that. And everyone just takes stuff, you know, obviously.” O’Brien continued by saying that five actors fell ill within one week after leaving the ancient burial grounds, asserting the idea that Native Americans have cursed them for filming their.
Maeve Cunningham, the 19-year old who started the petition said he was really disappointed after watching the O’Brien interview. “Native American rights are important to me, and hearing someone who you have a lot of respect for completely disregard someone else’s culture and basic human rights in such a disrespecting manner was just this big letdown for me,” she said. “I think if the cast and crew came out and apologized and returned whatever they took from the site, it would be a huge step forward in helping Native Americans get the respect they deserve and really need in this country.”
You can watch the O’Brien interview with Kelly and Michael below:
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What do you think? Should Dylan O’Brien and the cast of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’ return the ancient artifacts? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
