Alabama library backtracks, hosts story hour with Kirk Cameron, Riley Gaines to overflow crowd

An Alabama library Friday reversed its decision to cancel a Saturday story hour with Kirk Cameron and Riley Gaines after receiving a letter from First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit protecting religious freedom.

The event at Madison Public Library in Huntsville, which was part of the “See You at the Library” series hosted by Moms for Liberty, was ultimately attended by an overflow crowd of enthusiastic parents and kids on Saturday, Fox News reports.

The story hour was initially canceled by the library over professed concerns regarding capacity and public safety. Upon news of the cancellation, First Liberty sent the library a letter saying it was “prepared to vindicate this violation of our client’s civil rights in court.”

On Friday, the library agreed to hold the event, but placed a limit on the number of attendees, in cooperation with the Madison Police and Fire Marshall. “In the interest of public safety, Madison Police and the Madison Fire Marshal will be on hand to manage any logistical needs,” the library said in a statement.

“We are thrilled that Brave Books, Kirk and Riley will be able to host the book reading tomorrow as was previously scheduled,” First Liberty attorney Ryan Gardner told Fox News after the library rescinded the cancellation.

Still, Riley Gaines, former NCAA swimmer and advocate for fairness in women’s sports, wasn’t buying the library’s explanation for why it cancelled the event in the first place.

“We’ve seen this before,” Gaines said. “The library has come up with an excuse to prevent us from sharing wholesome messages to children and their families because they don’t want to be associated with it. The people have shown they want to attend this event and to support the mission of Brave Books. It’s situations like this that embolden activists and ANTIFA.

“I’m happy to say the event is now a go again, and we will continue forward with full force! It’s times like this where we must stand our ground as conservatives, but more importantly as Christians.”

Brave Books, Cameron’s publisher, said the event was attended by 225 people, the maximum capacity for the room.

Despite a group of protesters who reportedly tried to enter the event, Brave Books said it went off without incident. Some protesters reportedly held signs that read “Ban hate not books” and “Ban bigots.” Madison Police, who stopped them from disrupting the event, estimated the number of protesters at approximately 100.

Cameron, a Christian actor and author, opened the story hour by thanking those in attendance for coming to the “wholesome,” “faith-filled” event. He then led them in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing God Bless America, with many in attendance reportedly holding their hands over their hearts.  

He then read his faith-based children’s book, Pride Comes Before the Fall, and others to the enchanted crowd. Gaines also addressed the audience. 

His story hour events have become an important part of Cameron’s advocacy for conservatives and Christians to have a larger voice in the public square. 

“Conservatives and Christians have complained that they don’t have a seat at the cultural table,” he told Fox News earlier in the week. 

Now, with 300 of these events scheduled in 46 states, they presumably do.