Coronavirus: Actor Kirk Cameron criticized for staging outdoor singalong in California

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Actor Kirk Cameron is receiving criticism after hosting a mass singalong at a California mall on Sunday.

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The “Growing Pains” actor, 50, held an event with few of the hundreds of participants wearing masks as they sang Christmas carols at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, KABC reported.

Cameron promoted the event on social media, KCBS reported. “Christmas in Community! Peaceful Protest in Song!” Cameron wrote on Instagram.

Cameron, an evangelical Christian, said the caroling protest was a way to celebrate God-given liberties and constitutionally protected rights. the television station reported.

“It’s part town hall meeting, part worship service,” Cameron said in a video promoting the event. “If you love God, if you love Christmas and you love liberty, you’re not going to want to miss this.”

Musicians played an acoustic version of “Angels We Have Heard on High” and rang bells for “Jingle Bells,” the Los Angeles Times reported.

At an audience member’s request, the crowd broke into an a cappella rendition of “God Bless America,” the newspaper reported.

“People had such a great time,” Cameron said after the event. “It lifted our spirits. Over 500 people gathered.”

Local officials were not happy with the gathering, KTLA reported, calling the lack of masks and social distancing “irresponsible.”

”Liberty and freedom are very fragile and they come with great responsibility,” Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Pena told the television station. “Continuing to hold large gatherings and ignoring all guidelines, I feel, is unchristian.”

Due to the spike of COVID-19 cases, a regional stay-at-home order went into effect for Southern California on Dec. 7, KCBS reported. All private and public gatherings of any size are banned except for protests and outdoor religious services, the television station reported.

Available intensive care unit capacity in the Southern California region has dropped to 1.7%, state officials told KABC on Tuesday.

The stay-at-home order remains in effect through Dec. 28.

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