- The Grove mall in Los Angeles bans Manny Pacquiao
- The owner, Rick Caruso, says Pacquiao’s anti-gay remarks are ‘statements of hatred’
- “Manny Pacquiao is no longer welcome” – Caruso
It’s been over a month since Manny Pacquiao earned the ire of the LGBT ((lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community when he said in an interview that same-sex couples are worse than animals, but this controversial statement continues to cost him.
The Grove, a popular outdoor mall in Los Angeles, California decided to ban the Filipino boxing icon.
Pacquiao was reportedly seen around the mall’s premises and when he left, the management decided they don’t want him to come back.
According to an article published by TMZ, the mall’s owner, Rick Caruso said: “These are statements of hatred. A lot of people from the gay community come to The Grove and they have a right not to feel uncomfortable.”
“Manny Pacquiao is no longer welcome,” he emphasized.
This is the second time Pacquiao was banned from The Grove.
Back in 2012 when he also made a statement against same-sex marriage, Caruso posted a statement on Twitter saying Pacquiao is not allowed to come anymore.
According to an article published by Los Angeles Times, the tweet read: “Boxer Manny Pacquiao is not welcome at @TheGroveLA. @TheGroveLA is a gathering place for all Angelenos, not a place for intolerance.”
The ban was reversed later on when they learned that Pacquiao was misquoted that time.
The “Pambansang Kamao” had apologized for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals.
He said: “I’m sorry for everyone who got hurt due to my comparison of gay people (homosexuals) to animals. It was my mistake. Please forgive me for those who I’ve hurt. But this does not change my position against same-sex marriage. That’s what I believe. My only mistake is comparing gay people to animals.”
Pacquiao is currently in Los Angeles to prepare for his match against Timothy Bradley on April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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