(TLC) |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons joined in the growing rally against homebuilding supply chain Lowe's after it pulled advertising from the reality TV show "All-American Muslim."
"All-American Muslim" is an eight-part series that follows five Muslim families living in Dearborn, Michigan, which is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States and its largest mosque.
Despite what many call a "positive portrayal" of Muslim life, the show has come under protest recently, prompting Lowe's to cut its ads after the Florida Family Association called on members to email the program's advertisers.
Lowe's released a statement Saturday defending their decision, calling the show a "lightning rod" for "strong political and societal views."
"Lowe's has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lightning rod for many of those views. As a result we did pull our advertising on this program," the company said.
The company also said it was one of "dozens" of companies to pull their advertising last month, but did not name any.
Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons joined in the nationwide conversation over the show, rallying support for the series on Twitter.
"Just purchased remaining spots for #allamericanmuslim for next week," Simmons tweeted. "The show is now sold out! keep your money @lowes and we will keep ours."
TLC Spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said the network stands by its show, which attracts about a million viewers per week.
"We stand behind the show 'All-American Muslim' and we're happy the show has strong advertising support," Goldberg said.
South Bay state Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) sent a letter to the company's CEO Saturday saying the company's move is un-American and undermines efforts by the Muslim community to improve public understanding of one of the world's largest growing religious communities.
Lieu, who previously served in the U.S. military, says Lowe's action is "non-sensical" and "poses a danger to American liberties and values."
"The fact that some people commit murder or other extreme acts in the name of a peaceful religion -- whether Christianity or Islam or Hinduism -- does not somehow give that religion an 'agenda' that would be a 'danger' to 'American liberties and traditional values,'" the letter said.
Council on American-Islamic Relations and Shadia Amen-McDermott, who is featured on the show, both posted links on their Facebook pages to a petition, calling on advertisers to continue their support.
"This is NOT about standing up for All-American Muslim - This is about Standing Up Against Bigotry and Hatred in this Country Founded on Peace, Justice, and Equality. Let's Stand United against Bigotry," Amen-McDermott wrote.
The conservative Florida Family Association cheered Lowe's decision. The group called the TLC show "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
"All-American Muslim" is an eight-part series that follows five Muslim families living in Dearborn, Michigan, which is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States and its largest mosque.
Despite what many call a "positive portrayal" of Muslim life, the show has come under protest recently, prompting Lowe's to cut its ads after the Florida Family Association called on members to email the program's advertisers.
Lowe's released a statement Saturday defending their decision, calling the show a "lightning rod" for "strong political and societal views."
"Lowe's has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lightning rod for many of those views. As a result we did pull our advertising on this program," the company said.
The company also said it was one of "dozens" of companies to pull their advertising last month, but did not name any.
Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons joined in the nationwide conversation over the show, rallying support for the series on Twitter.
"Just purchased remaining spots for #allamericanmuslim for next week," Simmons tweeted. "The show is now sold out! keep your money @lowes and we will keep ours."
TLC Spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said the network stands by its show, which attracts about a million viewers per week.
"We stand behind the show 'All-American Muslim' and we're happy the show has strong advertising support," Goldberg said.
South Bay state Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) sent a letter to the company's CEO Saturday saying the company's move is un-American and undermines efforts by the Muslim community to improve public understanding of one of the world's largest growing religious communities.
Lieu, who previously served in the U.S. military, says Lowe's action is "non-sensical" and "poses a danger to American liberties and values."
"The fact that some people commit murder or other extreme acts in the name of a peaceful religion -- whether Christianity or Islam or Hinduism -- does not somehow give that religion an 'agenda' that would be a 'danger' to 'American liberties and traditional values,'" the letter said.
Council on American-Islamic Relations and Shadia Amen-McDermott, who is featured on the show, both posted links on their Facebook pages to a petition, calling on advertisers to continue their support.
"This is NOT about standing up for All-American Muslim - This is about Standing Up Against Bigotry and Hatred in this Country Founded on Peace, Justice, and Equality. Let's Stand United against Bigotry," Amen-McDermott wrote.
The conservative Florida Family Association cheered Lowe's decision. The group called the TLC show "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
