A Tennessee library director has been fired after actor and author Kirk Cameron accused him of ‘mean’ treatment at a Christian children’s reading event.
The Sumner County Library Board expelled Allan Morales from his library position in Hendersonville on Wednesday in a 4-3 vote regarding “the Kirk Cameron event,” the Tennessean reported.
Morales reportedly ruffled Cameron’s feathers when the “Growing Pains” actor came to town, just 18 miles east of Nashville, on Feb. 25 to promote his spiritual children’s book, “As You Grow.”
“Despite the rain and the nasty pushback (from a disgruntled librarian), an OVERFLOW crowd of families, mayors, county commissioners and celebrities greeted us and joined us at the library in Hendersonville, TN. for singing the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance to the flag, praying and teaching faith in God and moral values to our children,” Cameron wrote in a Facebook post three days after the event.
The event — which also included former University of Kentucky women’s swimmer Riley Gaines and Missy Robertson of ‘Duck Dynasty’ — was expected to draw a large crowd, which worried Morales about the limited space at the event. inside the local branch.
“Our invitation was sincere to read a book during our story hour,” Morales told a representative of Brave Books, who partnered with Kirk on the book, in a Feb. 22 email obtained by the Tennessean.
“We save this time because it is for small children and not for adults. We work hard not to promote any left or right agenda.
Morales tried to convince the publisher to move the event to a church in town, a suggestion that was ultimately rejected.
The event took place at the Hendersonville Library as planned, where children happily sat on the floor of a packed house.
Gaines – who made headlines speaking out against allowing transgender athletes to compete – told the outlet that the tension between Morales and Cameron was palpable leading up to and throughout the event.
Cameron accused Morales of speaking too loudly during a promotional shoot inside the library, although the swimmer isn’t sure Morales did it intentionally.
“This is not an accurate representation of Hendersonville, Gallatin or Sumner County,” said Sumner County resident Gaines.
“I hate that it resulted in a dismissal. I don’t know if it was politically motivated. There were bomb threats, lots of things going on. I don’t know if this is an accurate representation of him.
Hendersonville police arrested Mark Frakl, 49, on Thursday for allegedly making bomb threats last month and repeatedly harassing library staff from his Connecticut home.
He had sent at least 14 emails over a short period of time threatening “death and blowing up the building”, police said.
The defeated former director didn’t say if he felt conflicted with the actor, but wished to put the incident behind him.
“I just chose not to say anything,” Morales said. “I don’t want to add anything to all of this. I hope now that they fired me that the community can move on. There is no great point in giving my side. In the end, I don’t hate anyone.
Brave Books did not immediately respond to a request for comment.