Google News Controversy Surrounds Mel Gibson's Selection as Grand Marshal for Mardi Gras Parade
by FARUK IMAMOVIC | VIEW 273
It's always a big event in New Orleans when the Krewe of Endymion organizing team announces the grand marshals for the annual Mardi Gras parade. But the announcement took an unexpected turn last Saturday after famous Hollywood actor Mel Gibson was revealed as one of the main marshals for the raucous parade to be held on February 18.
“Several members voiced the opinion that it is a terrible idea,” one longtime Endymion member told The Post. “They were irate, saying they want their membership dues back [approximately $3,000 per year] and that Gibson is an awful choice”.
“The Coronation is a drunken affair, and I think, in the moment, their responses were chalked up to that,” the longtime member said. “I don’t think members of the executive committee understood the ramifications of having Gibson as the grand marshal”.
The Jewish Community Relations Council released a joint statement
"Mel Gibson has a long history of making antisemitic, racist and misogynistic slurs," the groups wrote in a statement. "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." In fact, in 2006, the actor told a policeman that “F***ing Jews.
The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world”. , and then asked him if he was Jewish. “People were saying how insane it was and asking what we can do to correct the mistake,” the longtime member said of making Gibson the grand marshal.
“I’m Jewish. I was shocked and disappointed. It was a huge oversight”. “The Krewe of Endymion has received significant feedback about our grand marshall announcement,” Krewe President Dan Kelly said in a statement shared with local news.
He added: “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”.