(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Mel Gibson no longer Grand Marshal for a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-01-09 Last Saturday, Mel Gibson was announced to be co-Grand Marshal (alongside Tulane University’s Willie Fritz) at the Krewe of Endymion parade for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This year’s theme for the Krewe of Endymion parade will be “Endymion Salutes the Poets”, where the works of poets like Edgar Allan Poe and Homer will be celebrated. But due to overwhelming pushback, even to the point of threats, Mel Gibson will not be riding as co-Grand Marshal. Danny Kelly, spokesperson for the Krewe of Endymion, released a statement. The Krewe of Endymion has received significant feedback about our grand marshall announcement yesterday evening. Some of this commentary included threats that cause us great concern. In the best interest of the safety of our riders, special guests, and everyone that welcomes us on the streets, Mel Gibson will not ride as a Co-Grand Marshal for our 2023 parade. We appreciate the cooperation of the city in addressing the issues that will allow us to present another wonderful parade this year along our entire route. We will move forward with our final preparations in the coming weeks for the largest procession in Carnival. x Mel Gibson will not ride as co-Grand Marshal of Endymion. “The Krewe of Endymion has received significant feedback about our grand marshall announcement…Some of this commentary included threats that cause us great concern, Endymion spokesman Danny Kelly says @WWLTV — Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) January 8, 2023 However, several questioned why Mel Gibson was ever considered in the first place, given his past history of racism and anti-Semitism. Although it has been announced that Mel Gibson will no longer ride due to reported threats, ADL, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and the Greater New Orleans Rabbinic Council—are appalled that Endymion chose Mel Gibson as the parade’s 2023 Grand Marshal to begin with. Mel Gibson has a long history of making antisemitic, racist and misogynistic slurs. While the actor has made half-hearted attempts to apologize for his remarks over the years, there is still a great deal of pain associated with his name and deep wounds in the Jewish community from those controversies, which may never heal. Given his history of fueling antisemitism and other forms of hate, we find his choice as Grand Marshal of Endymion was completely insulting and shortsighted. Although we are relieved he is no longer riding, we hope the Endymion leadership will take the opportunity to learn why the selection of Mel Gibson caused such pain and disappointment to the Jewish community as well as the marginalized communities he has harmed in the past. While Carnival has had its own complex history with antisemitism and racism, Jews and other marginalized communities have been part of New Orleans Mardi Gras since the beginning. Today, our communities are fully engaged in this cultural institution, including dozens within the Jewish community who ride in the Endymion Krewe. Mardi Gras is a celebration of the spirit of New Orleans, which includes all her citizens and residents and honors our diversity and our rich history. Endymion choosing a Grand Marshal with a strong record of hatred sent the wrong message about the event. x The same Mel Gibson who admitted on tape to repeatedly beating the mother of his child and said that she should get “raped by a pack of ni**ers”? The same Mel Gibson who has a long history of antisemitism? Got it. https://t.co/hnw5EKLrUH — Yashar Ali 🐘 یاشار (@yashar) January 8, 2023 Some have alluded to the history of racism in Mardi Gras. x I used to work for one of them. This is spot on. — #CancelStudentDebt or bust (@elpajaronegro) January 8, 2023 x Some light reading that adds some contour to carnival https://t.co/FcdfTe2wH3 — Nola Noid (@Nola_Noid) January 8, 2023 Willie Fritz will continue to be part of the Krewe of Endymion parade. Past Grand Marshals for Endymion include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Steven Tyler, and KISS. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/9/2146342/-Mel-Gibson-no-longer-Grand-Marshal-for-a-Mardi-Gras-parade-in-New-Orleans Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/