Hundreds of people were seen singing Christmas carols as part of actor Kirk Cameron’s “peaceful protest” against California coronavirus restrictions.
“If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, join us. … We’re going to be singing Christmas carols by candlelight,” Cameron said ahead of the event held Sunday. “It will lift your spirit, and it will remind you of our great God-given liberties and our constitutionally protected rights, especially at this time of year, to gather, assemble, and to sing about the birth of our savior.”
The Growing Pains actor shared a video of the event, showing hundreds of people, most of whom were maskless, gathered in Thousand Oaks, California, on a mall parking lot while singing and holding candles.
“People had such a great time. It lifted our spirits. Over 500 people gathered,” he said after the event.
Local authorities have slammed the gathering, however, with the mayor saying it was “un-Christian.”
“Liberty and freedom are very fragile, and they come with great responsibility,” said Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Pena. “Continuing to hold large gatherings and ignoring all guidelines, I feel, is un-Christian.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom has been repeatedly slammed over his coronavirus restrictions in the state, with business owners especially outraged that they can’t operate at full capacity. The Democratic governor is now facing a recall effort that has earned more than half of the needed signatures to make it on the ballot.
