Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has written to bus operators demanding they take down “inexcusable” adverts promoting a controversial American evangelist coming to Liverpool.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, has written to Stagecoach and Arriva demanding they remove adverts promoting US evangelist Franklin Graham.
Mayor Rotheram has contacted the bosses of both networks, asking for the immediate removal of the adverts from their fleets. Franklin Graham, the son of US preacher Billy Graham and a close friend of former president Donald Trump, has previously described same-sex marriage as a sin.
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In his letter, Mayor Rotheram said: “To say that I’m angry that the views of a known hate preacher – who has an appalling track record of homophobic and Islamophobic views – are being displayed anywhere in our city region would be an understatement. But for them to be displayed in public view on our buses – which are used by thousands of people every day, many of whom belong to the very communities that Mr Graham directs his bigotry and bile towards – is inexcusable.
“No one in our city region should ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable travelling by public transport. I would urge you to prioritise the interests and safety of your passengers that give you their hard-earned money every day – over promoting the work of a hate preacher.”
"There is no place for discrimination of any form in a civil society – and that should include your buses. I would ask that you remove these advertisements with immediate effect. "
Mayor Rotheram expressed his concerns following sightings of advertisements on both operators’ fleets promoting Mr Graham’s upcoming ‘God Loves You’ UK tour, which will arrive at Liverpool’s Arena and Convention Centre in less than three weeks time.
ACC Liverpool had previously attempted to cancel the booking by Billy Graham Evangelist Association (BGEA), which has intended to come to the city as part of its tour run in 2020. At that time, ACC said it had been made aware of “a number of statements which we consider to be incompatible with our values.”
However, BGEA successfully launched a challenge against the cancellation of the event and an agreement between the two sides was reached, allowing the event to be rescheduled to next month. In a statement, a spokesperson for ACC Liverpool said that since confirming the booking with BGEA, it was made aware of statements made by Mr Graham that it does not “support or condone” which led to its challenge of the event.
The statement added: “Since that time we have been in conversation with BGEA regarding our respective concerns and how best to reach a resolution, to ensure the rights and interests of all communities, groups and individuals are respected. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion applies to everyone and The ACC Liverpool Group strives to operate venues in which views can be safely and lawfully expressed without prejudice to any protected characteristics.
“With this in mind and being fully aware of our legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010 - including our obligation not to discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs - we have continued to work with BGEA to come to an agreement to host a date of ‘The God Loves You Tour UK’ at Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 14 May 2022. As part of those discussions, we have received satisfactory assurances from the organisers of the event that The Reverend Franklin Graham’s message will not be discriminatory, disrespectful or negative towards any particular communities, groups or individuals.
“With the cooperation of BGEA we have been able to reach an agreement that provides these assurances. Since resolving matters with BGEA, we have sought to engage with stakeholders and representatives within the local LGBTQ+ community who we know take issue with some statements attributed to Reverend Franklin Graham and have opposed the event taking place in the city.
“We are committed to further engagement with these important and valued community groups and representatives and are setting up a Community Advisory Group to ensure we have a formalised process in which to engage with a diverse and inclusive range of stakeholders and groups across our local community.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire said: "We accept advertising on our buses from a wide range of businesses and organisations. The content of all adverts is checked to ensure they meet relevant advertising standards.
"Acceptance of any advertising is not an endorsement of any products, organisations or the views they represent."
A spokesperson for Arriva UK Bus, said: “Arriva works with an independent organisation to ensure any advertising adheres to the strict standards set out in the relevant Advertising Codes, overseen and regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority. Carrying advertising from a wide range of products and organisations, does not equate to an endorsement of their views or positions”
