Russell Simmons is rallying to purchase the remaining advertising space for TLC's "All-American Muslim," after the Lowe's store chain pulled out under pressure.
"This can't happen in America," Simmons, 54, wrote Monday on his website Global Grind. "[Lowe's] needs to fix this immediately. They can't get away with that, it's ridiculous. There are American principals at stake here. I can't imagine the Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP, the National Urban League, or any organization that fights for their own rights will allow this to happen to any other group because they know they're next."
The cofounder of Def Jam Records Tweeted on Monday that he had purchased ad space to promote his Visa Rush credit card, but was told the spots were sold out. “I'm trying to buy ads during [‘All American Muslim’] airing this Sunday, but now they are saying they are sold out. I will keep trying...”
A TLC representative told Celebritology that Simmons tried to purchase ad time, but that it wasn't clear that there was any available.
Lowe’s pulled its sponsorship of “All-American Muslim” after receiving a written complaint from the Florida Family Association, which objected to the TLC show’s positive portrayal of Muslim families living in Dearborn, Mich.
According to The Washington Post, Lowe's said “dozens of companies” pulled their ads, too, adding “We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and we’re proud of that longstanding commitment. If we have made anyone question that commitment, we apologize.”
Simmons joined other celebrities in starting a boycott and petition against Lowe's, which the Post reported had 20,000 supporters as of Tuesday at noon.
