Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, preaches a politicized form of evangelical Christianity that’s outspokenly anti-LGBTQ. He’s also described Islam as an “evil” religion and suggested that God helped President Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton in 2016. He supports so-called conversion therapy.
“He’s not just a Christian evangelist,” said protest organizer Carol Price, of Bristol. “He does have an underside, and that is hate speech and intolerance.”
Tuesday will mark the second stop on a Northeast branch of his ongoing Decision America tour that began in 2016 as a call to prayer and the ballot box. The event is part concert, part sermon, and will include a performance by Christian singer-songwriter Crowder. It will take place on the lawn, and admission is free.
Price said she wants to make sure attendees know about Graham’s homophobic and Islamophobic views, but that her goal isn’t to halt Graham from speaking.
“In a perfect world, Franklin Graham would come to Vermont and no one would go to listen,” she said.
Protesters will have to stand in a staging area outside the privately owned Expo grounds, executive director Tim Shea said. Essex police and Graham’s private security staff will be on hand, he said.
About 4,300 people attended a similar event in Portland, Maine over the weekend, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, of which Franklin has long been CEO.
The Evangelistic Association, a nonprofit, brought in more than $133 million in revenue last year, according to its online financial report. Last year’s 17-city Decision America tour on the West Coast was a $13 million production.
Gates open at 6 p.m., which is when Price suggested anyone interested in joining the protest should arrive. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.
Price said she initially approached a civil rights group about coordinating the protest, but was told they were busy making preparations to protest an upcoming May 30 appearance by former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott in Burlington.
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Vermont is being invaded by bigots, frauds and thugs.
Franklin Graham and his Right Wing/White Supremacist brand of “Christianity” is on his way here to fire up and fleece the rubes. Graham is all -in on Trumpism and its fascist tendencies and he is here to wrap Trump in the Bible.
Franklin Graham is an evil man.
May God bless each and everyone of you making ignorant remarks about this wonderful man and the message he brings to people
I’m sad that there’s a enough of a market here in Vermont for these con men to schedule a visit.
I could care less what this evangelist has to say……
Regardless of his message he has the right to assemble and freedom of speech! To deny any person of this is were fascism really lies. If you don’t like his message you don’t have to listen to it.
What is really scary is forceable suppression of an opposition and denying any person the right to express themselves.
“What is really scary is forceable suppression of an opposition and denying any person the right to express themselves.”
Phew! Good thing that isn’t what’s happening, huh?
Let’s see… He has pride, greed, and wrath. Only a few more to go…
This man alleges he’s a Christian. Given that Jesus allegedly hung out with bad guys, prostitutes, and other lowlifes, maybe Graham could take some lessons on what his “savior” actually stood for. Instead he touts some Old Testament weirdness and bigotry while taking in millions of dollars. I recall something about heaven, rich men and the eye of a needle. Hmmmm.
Billy Graham would turn over in his grave to see how his son has turned to the dark side. Franklin uses hate to fan the flames that build his power. Not a pretty thing to see.
Great!! Another so called rich religious fanatic that thinks God wanted Trumpty dumpty to be president? What a sicko he is.
Non-profit means the organization doesn’t take profit after paying salaries and operating costs. Why does Franklin Graham have a net worth of $25 million while you can barely afford to put food on your family’s table? Because he’s using all of you. Greed is a sin against God and this man is greedy. Wake up.