Actor and Christian author Kirk Cameron has come under fire after claiming he brought record numbers to an Indianapolis story hour.
Criticism comes after Cameron announced on social media that thousands of people attended his public reading of his Christian children’s book “As You Grow” at Indianapolis Public Library.
A tweet from the book’s publisher Brave Books said: “This is a message to every library in the United States: In 137 years of the Indianapolis Public Library’s history, NEVER ONCE have they had over 2,500 people show up to a single event.”
The post comes following claims that the book which teaches “biblical wisdom through the seasons of life” and “fruits of the spirit like love, joy, kindness” has been rejected from several libraries and Cameron banned from reading his book at some 50 US libraries.
A video on social media shows the large crowds in attendance at the author’s event in Indianapolis.
“After being refused or ignored by over 50 libraries to read the new children’s book “As You Grow”, Indianapolis Library allowed us to come host a story hour. Needless to say, we showed up with a few friends!” Brave Books tweeted.
"No longer will Christians be silent. No longer will we be shut away."
"We will be here, we will stand strong & we will show the world how many of us there really are!
“Thank you to everyone who gave up their morning to join us! This movement is beginning! Host your own Brave Books Story Hour Today!" the tweet concluded
Indianapolis Public Library responded online, publicly questioning the numbers stated by the publisher, saying they have been “inaccurately portrayed.”
“We are being inaccurately portrayed in news/social after a room rental yesterday,” Indianapolis Public Library tweeted.
“Our estimated door count during the event is around 750, not 2,500. We’ve had larger events. We turn 150 yrs old in 2023. And our auditorium, which our guests chose not to rent, holds 300, not 2,000.”
Attendees took to twitter to defend Cameron, with one saying there were 2,000 plus people at the event:
“I was there…no way there were only 750 people. I was 150 back (they counted us aloud before we went into the room) and I was at the front of the line….there were masses of people lined up and winding around the library behind me. I would guess 2000+ total.”
Cameron is due to continue his story time hour at the Scarsdale Public Library on Friday.