Former “Growing Pains” star Kirk Cameron has found himself in hot water this week after he defied California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s strict COVID-19 lockdown orders to hold a massive Christmas carol gathering in Thousand Oaks.
TMZ reported that Cameron teamed up with the organization Sing It Louder USA to throw the event in the parking lot of the Oaks Mall.
The gossip site called Kirk Cameron’s festive Christian gathering a protest against California Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) strict stay-at-home orders.
Cameron, however, seems to have a different take on the Christmas caroling event.
“People had such a great time. It lifted our spirits. Over 500 people gathered,” Cameron said afterwards.
“If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, join us, we’re going to be singing Christmas carols by candlelight,” Cameron said in a video minutes before the caroling event started.
“It will lift your spirit and it will remind you of our great God-given liberties and constitutional protected rights to gather and assemble and sing about the birth of our savior,” added Cameron.
50-year-old Cameron is known for being an evangelical Christian. The actor stands out as a Godly example among Hollywood, much like his younger sister Candace Cameron Bure.
These days, Cameron mostly stars in faith-based films like Left Behind: The Movie and Fireproof.
But California officials were not on the same page with Kirk Cameron’s public display of Christmas or Christianity given Newsom’s lockdown order.
Local officials, however, were not pleased about this event taking place. They said the gathering put those who attended at risk for coronavirus.
“Liberty and freedom are very fragile and they come with great responsibility,” Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Pena told ABC7. “Continuing to hold large gatherings and ignoring all guidelines, I feel, is unchristian.”
Social media users have been attacking Cameron as well, branding him as “disrespectful” and “selfish.”
“As a fellow member of your community this is a slap in the face to all those nurses picketing our hospital right now because they’re exhausted,” one person commented, with another adding, “So does love thy neighbors mean you love them so much you’re gonna give them covid?”
Related: James Woods Leads Celebrities In Bashing Governor Newsom’s Ultra Strict Thanksgiving Mandate
This was actually the second Christmas carol event of this kind that Cameron and Sing It Louder USA had held this month. Cameron described the previous one as “such a blessing,” and said it “had an overwhelming response of enthusiasm and gratitude.”
“We want to double the size of our local gathering and sing Christmas songs, Christmas carols at the top of our voices,” Cameron said.
He even encouraged his Instagram followers to show up to his next caroling event. “It is such an uplifting, inspiration and encouraging time. We want you to join us.”
California’s Governor Newsom has become infamous for inflicting some of the strictest COVID-19 measures in the country.
Of course, Newsom’s hypocrisy was showcased to the world last month when he was caught breaking his own rules. The governor was seen attending an indoor gathering with around a dozen people who were not wearing masks.
Kirk Cameron is clearly willing to stand up for what he believes in – what about Newsom?
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