How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
Amid controversy, Glenn Beck filmed the newest installment of "The Christmas Sweater — A Return to Redemption" at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts last night. NCM Fathom and Mercury Radio Arts hosted the private event.
Images
During the event, Beck spoke about the events in his life that inspired his narrative, "The Christmas Sweater."
Members of the community, including representatives from the Judson Memorial Church and Color of Change, came to protest the event.
Color of Change has been campaigning since last summer against Beck's accusations that President Obama is racist. They said they have been able to convince 80 advertisers to stop advertising during Beck's show "because of its divisiveness and its hatred," said Duncan Meisel, a member of Color of Change, NYU alumnus and former member of Take Back NYU.
Meisel added: "We are here to continue to support the campaign to make sure Mr. Beck knows that what he's doing to our country is unacceptable."
Church groups were upset at Beck's use of Christian imagery and Christmas as a way to disseminate what they call his largely hateful message. They believe the way Beck addresses women, people of color and immigrants is incompatible with the Christian ethic.
"It is outside Biblical narrative," said Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, senior minister at Lemuel Haynes Congregational Church. "We are a small church saying we are opposed to constant racist language."
Several members of the Tea Party (of the Tea Party protests) gathered outside of Skirball to support Beck.
Michele Russo, a 50-year-old Long Island resident, said though Beck's past may not be perfect, he is now championing a good cause.
"[Glenn] is like every other American that might have done some stupid things in their youth," she said. "They get older, and they get wiser, and they start realizing what family values really are."
Attendees of Beck's event were unfazed by the commotion.
"They're willing to do whatever because it's a free country, but I'm on Glenn Beck's side," said Mary Smith, a 52-year-old New Jersey resident. "I read his book and I find it interesting. It's a really beautiful story."
