Kirk Cameron and the publisher of his new children’s book said thousands flocked to his story hour after one of the libraries that initially refused to host him over his new faith-based children’s book reportedly reversed course, something the library is disputing.
Brave Books and the 52-year-old actor shared a clip on Instagram showing what they said were thousands of people who turned up to the Indianapolis Public Library Thursday to hear Cameron talk about his book “As You Grow.”
“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,” Brave Books captioned its post showing huge crowds standing and sitting to hear Cameron talk about his new book.
“UNTIL TODAY,” the company added. “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!”
“No longer will Christians be silent,” the publisher continued. “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!”
Cameron’s sister, actress Candace Cameron Bure, also celebrated the news, messaging on the post, “Praise the Lord. Christians showing up.”
The publisher also tweeted a longer clip showing long lines of people outside the library waiting to get inside for the event.
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.
UNTIL TODAY. pic.twitter.com/sFI9Gv4Q5g
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BraveBooksUS) December 29, 2022
After the publisher’s tweet, the Indianapolis Public Library tweeted that the claim about a 2,500-person attendance was not accurate and that it was not the largest crowd the library had ever seen. The Indianapolis Public Library will also turn 150 years old in April 2023.
“We are being inaccurately portrayed in news/social after a room rental yesterday,” the library’s post read. “Our estimated door count during the event is around 750, not 2500. 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 2000.”
The “Growing Pains” star recently celebrated after he said two of the libraries changed their minds about hosting a Cameron story hour and said it should send a message to Christians and conservatives “to be brave.”
The actor’s publicist told Fox News a library in Indiana and another near New York City “caved.” After they initially refused to host Cameron, he threatened legal action.
Cameron previously spoke with The Daily Wire about how public libraries that have hosted “Drag Queen Story Hours” refused to host him for readings of his book that he describes as “Pro-God and pro-family and Biblical values.”
Brave books previously noted that Cameron hadn’t been booked for a “single children’s story hour at a public library in America,” adding that more than 50 public libraries had either outright rejected him or not responded to requests on his behalf.