UPDATE: The Krewe of Endymion today reversed its decision to have controversial actor Mel Gibson ride as a co-grand marshal.
Reaction to Endymion selecting Mel Gibson as one of the krewe's grand marshals has included some very critical comments on social media.
Some people are pointing out that Gibson has been at the center of controversy in the past, with comments that had him all but shut out of Hollywood for years.
Variety Magazine recounted Gibson's scandals:
"The hiatus was largely due to being virtually shut out from Hollywood, an expulsion prompted by the infamous Malibu DUI arrest in 2006 during which he unleashed an anti-Semitic rant. That was followed by leaked tapes in 2010 where Gibson screamed racist remarks, including using the n-word, at his then-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of one of his nine children. She later alleged Gibson was physically abusive. Even before his fall from grace, Gibson had routinely been in trouble for homophobic comments."
One person commented on the Endymion Facebook asking, "Is Kayna going to be a musical performer as well?"
Rap star Kanye West has recently been at the center of his own controversy for anti-Jewish comments.
Another comment said, "If you’re putting a high profile anti-Semite as grand marshal then I’m out. Disgusting."
"Really disappointed you’ve chosen a well-known Anti-Semite as the face of your parade this year. You should be better than this," read another comment.
Similar comments just kept coming on the post:
"Mel Gibson? After his anti semantic drunken rants? I guess people in Hollywood can do anything and come out smelling like roses."
"So you’re going to literally parade your tolerance for Holocaust denying antisemitism, racism, and domestic abuse across the city of New Orleans. Gross."
"Why isn’t the coach enough? Ya had to spoil it with the racist"
There were far fewer comments in support of the selection.