SHAWNEE MISSION, KAN -
Protesters picketed against the plan to bring in sharpshooters to fix the deer overpopulation in Shawnee Mission Park on Sunday. A group literally blocked the entrance and told people trying to get into the park that the park was closed.
"Shawnee Mission Park is officially closed for cruelty," announced protest organizer Jason Miller from a loud speaker on Sunday. "They are killing 300 deer in this park."
People trying to get into Shawnee Mission Park were surprised to find themselves stuck in the middle of a protest.
"Don't let your tax dollars become blood money for the October massacre of the deer," said Miller, again through his loud speaker to motorists.
For months Miller has been fighting the Johnson County Parks and Rec plan to bring in sharpshooters to kill more than 400 of the park's estimated 700 deer.
The director of Johnson County Parks and Rec said the issue is decided. He said because there are no natural predators in Shawnee Mission Park, the deer population is simply out of control.
"I'm willing to stand here until they arrest me," said Miller.
But much to Miller's dismay, he wasn't arrested. Park police just redirected traffic.
Park goer Christopher Allen commented on the protest.
"Just like any other protest, don't impede someone enjoyment of the park," he said.
Allen said he likes seeing the deer but believes there are too many.
"Do you want them running around in your neighborhood and causing car accidents?" asked Christopher Allen. "A lot of people don't realize if you happen to walk up on it and startle it it can be a dangerous animal."
The protest ended when Miller realized park police were not going to arrest him.
The sharpshooters are expected to start thinning out the deer population on Friday. Miller said he too will return to protest.
"Shawnee Mission Park is officially closed for cruelty," announced protest organizer Jason Miller from a loud speaker on Sunday. "They are killing 300 deer in this park."
People trying to get into Shawnee Mission Park were surprised to find themselves stuck in the middle of a protest.
"Don't let your tax dollars become blood money for the October massacre of the deer," said Miller, again through his loud speaker to motorists.
For months Miller has been fighting the Johnson County Parks and Rec plan to bring in sharpshooters to kill more than 400 of the park's estimated 700 deer.
The director of Johnson County Parks and Rec said the issue is decided. He said because there are no natural predators in Shawnee Mission Park, the deer population is simply out of control.
"I'm willing to stand here until they arrest me," said Miller.
But much to Miller's dismay, he wasn't arrested. Park police just redirected traffic.
Park goer Christopher Allen commented on the protest.
"Just like any other protest, don't impede someone enjoyment of the park," he said.
Allen said he likes seeing the deer but believes there are too many.
"Do you want them running around in your neighborhood and causing car accidents?" asked Christopher Allen. "A lot of people don't realize if you happen to walk up on it and startle it it can be a dangerous animal."
The protest ended when Miller realized park police were not going to arrest him.
The sharpshooters are expected to start thinning out the deer population on Friday. Miller said he too will return to protest.
