Russell Simmons Buys 'All-American Muslim' Ad Space, Protests Lowes

After Lowes created some open ad time, Russell Simmons filled it in a high profile way.

The music legend and entrepreneur tweeted on Monday that he bought all the remaining ad space on "All-American Muslim," the TLC reality show that has been at the center of a recent media buy controversy.

"Just purchased remaining spots for #allamericanmuslim for next week," he wrote. "The show is now sold out! keep your money @lowes and we will keep ours."

Corporations such as Lowe's have pulled their ads from the show, under pressure from conservative protests led by the Florida Family Association. Simmons has called for a boycott of Lowe's, pushing a petition via Twitter.

Simmons later said that corporations want their longterm ad space, making it difficult for him to purchase all that he wanted. In the space, he'll push his Visa Rush Card.

This isn't the first time Simmons has put his substantial wealth towards public activist causes; in November, he offered to pay for the cleanup of Zuccotti Park, in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Comments

[Kritikos]

09:04 PM on 01/02/2012

Got Your RushCard yet?

[Amom48]

08:41 AM on 12/15/2011

The higher ups at Lowes are the ones that made the decision. Won't boycotting hurt those at store level instead. To keep up profits and their lifestyle, they are likely to cut those at store level adding to the unemployment numbers. Are Simmons and others willing to help those pay for their mortgage payments or put food on the table for those that have children and depend on their jobs.

[Puncastle]

06:36 PM on 12/15/2011

The salaries of the employees will not be affected if Lowe's has lower sales than projected. At the sales meetings, the higher-ups will discuss why their sales fell short. If it's due to a boycott, then they will have learned the lesson.

[rkinlaw88]

04:52 PM on 12/14/2011

Not only have the prices kept my away, but this act of bigotry has sealed the deal. Home Depot is looking better and better everyday.

[gorgol]

05:53 AM on 12/14/2011

I'll assume the execs at Home Depot are dancing on the conference table right now.

[Sarahkamal90]

09:59 PM on 12/13/2011

Whether you choose to applaud Russell Simmons actions or not....is all of this religious intolerance really neccessary?AMERICA was built by those who were escaping religious prosecution....and seeking asylum, this country was founded and established on such beliefs. How quick we are to forget our own history. The constitution is one of the greatest documents ever written because it breaks such barriers and it clearly states that everyone is entitled to equality. Every religion has their group of extremist.....and to judge thousands of people based on a few ....is quit frankly nonsensical. And for those who say that muslims are here to take over and spread shariah law clearly do not understand the religion.....in Islam...it is FORBIDDEN to enter a foreign land with aspirations of taking it over and overthrowing the government with hopes of spreading shariah law. But of course people like to talk with no basis of fact....I know that for a fact because I myself am Muslim. No one is trying to take over and no one is spreading Shariah law....(its not even a law, its just a guide for muslims outlining how to pray and fast). The point Im making is not to believe everything you hear and not to assume such things about Islam...or its followers. This show was created for the purpose of breaking stereotypes and showing the skeptics that we are not terrorist.

[robjh1]

11:57 PM on 12/13/2011

I applaud your comment. Strange as it seems but some Americans have forgotten that all are free to practice any form of religion. If I decided to worship dirt or an ant I am free to do so. Because christianity seems to be the dominate religion in the US doesn't mean all have to practice the faith. That being said I think we should celebrate all religious holidays from Christmas, to Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanza etc? Think of the days off from work.

[Wildfire413]

04:16 AM on 12/14/2011

Ugh, this country was not founded on Religion, most of the forefathers were Agnostics or flat out Atheist. Geez, ppl like to twist history. But, I agree more tolerance is needed.

[floodmfx]

09:53 PM on 12/13/2011

Boycott Lowes.

Lowes has decided to support a hate group.
If good people do not stand up against bigots, then next they might target you.

[Andrew FingerlickingGree]

08:30 PM on 12/13/2011

It's a win win for Russell. He'll be promoting his predatory credit card while being seen in a good light.

What is this show about anyway? The title doesn't seem like it is anything but another American reality show. Why is that Florida Association against it?

[Chef Dracula]

11:59 PM on 12/13/2011

very good point.

[Clayton RushCard]

01:27 PM on 12/14/2011

Andrew- Your statement above is incorrect. Firstly, the RushCard is not a credit card, but a prepaid debit card, there is a different. Secondly, the RushCard the word "predatory" is grossly inaccurate. The RushCard is a tool of empowerment. There are 60 million underbanke­d consumers in the US. These people cannot turn to a traditiona­l bank for a list of reasons. Checking accounts offered by these institutio­ns include NSF (non-suffi­cient funds) fees that further burdan many low to middle income families across the country. RushCard offers a solution for these families to live life in today's economy where plastic is key. Not to mention, the RushCard offers lower transfer fees than most banks. To learn more about the fee structure, it's available on RushCard's website here- https://ww­w.rushcard­.com/howit­works/sche­duleoffees­.aspx.

[xhawk2]

07:42 PM on 12/13/2011

Fascist Democrats had no problem with their boycott against Glenn Beck.

[gorgol]

05:49 AM on 12/14/2011

Glenn Beck is a hate monger. A big difference.

[McFlipFlop]

08:05 AM on 12/14/2011

Fascist Democrats? You need to look up what a fascist is.

[Xacomo]

04:06 AM on 12/17/2011

This is the problem with the right. They like to throw slanderous political molotovs everywhere, hoping something will catch fire.

[Kapri Genaye]

07:06 PM on 12/13/2011

Great to read that Russell Simmons is not just about talk, but also action. Great to see him supporting social causes.

[DJE12857]

06:44 PM on 12/13/2011

That is very admirable of Mr.Simmons. I bought paint at Lowe's last week and will be returning it tomorrow.

[altollew]

09:10 PM on 12/13/2011

Taking the walls with you?

[DJE12857]

09:24 PM on 12/13/2011

Aren't we witty.

[RJrocks1]

10:16 PM on 12/13/2011

*didn't know Lowes sold 'em the walls too*

[Patricia FieldingScales]

05:41 PM on 12/13/2011

I love Lowe's and will continue to shop there. I won't, however, watch this show - ever.

[keith1963]

05:49 PM on 12/13/2011

Good. You and all your fans will not be missed.

[Cynth]

11:48 PM on 12/13/2011

Fanned!

[DJE12857]

06:46 PM on 12/13/2011

That's one horrible attitude you've got there. How do you feel about Congressman Keith Ellison?

[keith1963]

07:01 PM on 12/13/2011

She has probably never heard of him.

[Cynth]

11:50 PM on 12/13/2011

...who was sworn in on Thomas Jefferson's Koran, no less. Maybe she's like to ban the mention of Jefferson's name in her house, while she's at it.

Fanned.

[joedawg88]

05:31 PM on 12/13/2011

Almost singularly responsible for downgrading urban culture, now searching for validation.

[season555]

05:04 PM on 12/13/2011

THANK YOU

[Myrna Minkoff]

04:54 PM on 12/13/2011

I never shopped at Lowes anyway.....Big Stoopids.

[RepublicansAreFail]

04:43 PM on 12/13/2011

Lowe's won't be seeing my business thats for sure. Can't support any company that supports bigotry.

[xhawk2]

07:42 PM on 12/13/2011

So says the liberal who support the Muslim fascist bigots at CAIR, a front for Hamas masquerading as a civil rights groups. Liberals and Muslims are bigoted against Jews and Christians.

[Puncastle]

09:15 PM on 12/13/2011

Your post has failed epically on so many levels.

[LeiaBah]

12:22 PM on 12/15/2011

Most Muslims actually respect Judaism and Christianity and see Islam as a continuation of the Abrahamic faiths. They also consider Jewish and Christian prophets as their own.

I suppose it's easier to make sweeping statements like yours when you have no real knowledge of the people or faith you're denigrating.