Dozens of people, mostly maskless, gathered outside a California mall for a second singalong event hosted by actor Kirk Cameron.
What We Know:
- Primarily known for his role on the 80s show “Growing Pains,” Cameron posted to Instagram inviting followers to the Christmas caroling “peaceful protests.” The first event was held on December 6, a day before Southern California’s stay-at-home order became effective. Cameron says over 500 people united as part of what he called a Sing It Louder USA gathering. “People had such a great time, it lifted our spirits,” he said. Around 100 people of all ages attended the second event outside The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks, California.
- The Sing it Louder USA movement calls upon communities across the country to organize a gathering and make their voices heard in order “to say no to govt tyrants who are attempting to control our lives.” They encourage people who are fed up with government officials regulating how to celebrate the holidays.
- In a statement, The Oaks mall tweeted, “We do not condone this irresponsible – yet constitutionally protected – peaceful protest event planned, per the mall posted to Twitter. “We share your concern and have notified the Sheriff’s office. As well, we have reached out to the event planner to ask that they do not use The Oaks as their venue.”
- However, some Twitter users did not believe the mall’s statement. “There is no constitutional right to protest on PRIVATE PROPERTY. You can kick them out if you choose [to]. Threatening the public’s health is a 100% valid reason to protect your employees and mask-donning patrons,” one user wrote. Another user replied to the statement, writing “I want to believe this but I do not. If you had wanted it stopped, you would have taken greater measures..”
I want to believe this but I do not. If you had wanted it stopped, you would have taken greater measures. What if it had been a Klan gathering? Would you have allowed it? You have a responsibility to keep your shoppers and our community safe. You failed miserably last night. pic.twitter.com/AXuwp3SByU
— Paula Nathan (@PNathan4Kids) December 23, 2020
- Southern California currently has 0% ICU capacity. According to an announcement made by the California Department of Public Health on the 26th, California as a whole has reported 2,072,665 confirmed cases being the first state to report over 2 million Covid-19 cases so far. On Friday, 30,375 new cases were recorded, and the numbers only continue to rise. The Oaks mall is located in Ventura County, with over 200 deaths since the pandemic started and over 31,000 cases. Almost 24,000 people total have died in the state. Officials warn that super spreader events like Sing It Louder can infect a large number of people within a short time.
In an interview with Fox reporter Tucker Carlson, Cameron said everyone who attended the caroling went by choice. “We are not afraid of a virus that has over a 99% survival rate,” he told Carlson.
