A decision by retail giant Lowe's Cos. to pull ads from a reality show about American Muslims after protests from an evangelical Christian group has sparked criticism and calls for a boycott against the chain of home-improvement stores.
The retailer stopped advertising on TLC's "All-American Muslim" after a conservative group known as the Florida Family Assn. complained, saying the program was "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
The show, which premiered last month, chronicles the lives of five families in Dearborn, Mich., a Detroit suburb with a large Muslim and Arab American population.
California Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) said he was considering a boycott.
Calling Lowe's decision "un-American" and "naked religious bigotry," Lieu said he may seek legislative action if Lowe's doesn't apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads. The senator sent a letter outlining his complaints to Lowe's Chief Executive Robert A. Niblock.
"The show is about what it's like to be a Muslim in America, and it touches on the discrimination they sometimes face. And that kind of discrimination is exactly what's happening here with Lowe's," Lieu said.
The Florida group sent three emails to its members, asking them to petition Lowe's to pull its advertising. Its website was updated to say that "supporters' emails to advertisers make a difference."
Suehaila Amen, whose family is featured on "All-American Muslim," said she was disappointed by Lowe's decision.
"I'm saddened that any place of business would succumb to bigots and people trying to perpetuate their negative views on an entire community," Amen, 32, told the Detroit News on Sunday.
Lowe's issued a statement Sunday apologizing for having "managed to make some people very unhappy."
"Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lightning rod for many of those views," the statement said. "As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance."
The North Carolina company did not say whether it would reinstate advertising on the show.
The apology doesn't go far enough, Lieu said. He vowed to look into whether Lowe's violated California laws and said he would consider drafting a senate resolution condemning the company's actions.
"We want to raise awareness so that consumers will know during this holiday shopping season that Lowe's is engaging in religious discrimination," Lieu said.
Lowe's issued another statement later Sunday, saying company officials want to talk to Lieu and clarify their position.
Lieu's office said a decision was expected Wednesday or Thursday on whether to proceed with the boycott.
The retailer stopped advertising on TLC's "All-American Muslim" after a conservative group known as the Florida Family Assn. complained, saying the program was "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
California Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) said he was considering a boycott.
Calling Lowe's decision "un-American" and "naked religious bigotry," Lieu said he may seek legislative action if Lowe's doesn't apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads. The senator sent a letter outlining his complaints to Lowe's Chief Executive Robert A. Niblock.
"The show is about what it's like to be a Muslim in America, and it touches on the discrimination they sometimes face. And that kind of discrimination is exactly what's happening here with Lowe's," Lieu said.
The Florida group sent three emails to its members, asking them to petition Lowe's to pull its advertising. Its website was updated to say that "supporters' emails to advertisers make a difference."
Suehaila Amen, whose family is featured on "All-American Muslim," said she was disappointed by Lowe's decision.
"I'm saddened that any place of business would succumb to bigots and people trying to perpetuate their negative views on an entire community," Amen, 32, told the Detroit News on Sunday.
Lowe's issued a statement Sunday apologizing for having "managed to make some people very unhappy."
"Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lightning rod for many of those views," the statement said. "As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance."
The North Carolina company did not say whether it would reinstate advertising on the show.
The apology doesn't go far enough, Lieu said. He vowed to look into whether Lowe's violated California laws and said he would consider drafting a senate resolution condemning the company's actions.
"We want to raise awareness so that consumers will know during this holiday shopping season that Lowe's is engaging in religious discrimination," Lieu said.
Lowe's issued another statement later Sunday, saying company officials want to talk to Lieu and clarify their position.
Lieu's office said a decision was expected Wednesday or Thursday on whether to proceed with the boycott.
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