ALLEN PARK — About 100 people gathered at the Lowe’s store here on Saturday, Dec. 17 protesting the company’s recent decision to remove its advertisement from TLC’s reality show, “All-American Muslim.” A smaller group of people stood close by supporting Lowe’s.

Among the signs at the protest were ones that read “Remember, All-American Muslims shop too.”

The protest against Lowe’s was organized by the African American Ministers Leadership Council in cooperation with the Highland Park NAACP, and attracted people from both inside and outside the American Muslim community. Michigan Legislative Liaison, Raymond A. Holman, said the show presents a positive image for Michigan and for Detroit.  “Obviously when you see discrimination you have to stand up and speak out,” Holman said. 

The company pulled its advertisement after pressure from a conservative group which claims the show is propaganda that hides Islam’s danger to American liberties and traditional values. The group, the Florida Family Association, was revealed to have just one paid employee, David Caton, according to federal tax forms from 2010 obtained by The New York Times. The FFA took in just over $172,000 in donations in 2010 according to the article and finished the year with just over $8,000 on hand. 

One American Muslim protestor, 62-year old Nouhad El-Haj, said he lives close to the Lowe’s location where the protest was held and frequently shops there, but will no longer give it business. “Now I know where to go,” he said. “They bowed down to a group known for hating all different religions, not only Islam.”

One of the protesters who supported the home improvement retail giant carried a gun. Pat Jackson of Clarkston carried a sign that read; “I support freedom to advertise or not.” When asked whether the company’s action sent out a negative message about American Muslims she said, “Advertising is not a message…If they felt it wasn’t beneficial to them to promote their business on a Muslim based reality show that’s fine. If they feel it’s not beneficial for their business to promote Lowe’s on a pornographic show that’s fine. I don’t understand why it’s bigotry to decide, if I own a company where I’m going to advertise.” Other Lowe’s supporters held signs that read: “God bless Lowe’s” and “Good for Lowe’s.” 

Teferi Brent, a 20-year Detroit community activist, said the show is as American as apple pie.  Before leading the crowd into a prayer he criticized Lowe’s, saying it was hypocritical to pull ads from a show about family and continue to advertise around programming that involves hatred, murder and “all forms of violence.”  The crowd chanted, “Boycott Lowe’s” and “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.”