Robinson and Walker respond to criticism of LGBTQ comments and links to right-wing religious group

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This week, Policy Watch published an article exploring the connections between Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, US Representative Madison Cawthorn, former US Representative Mark Walker and the right-wing religious group American Renewal Project.

The group rejects the separation between church and state – especially in public schools – condemns LGBTQ people and Muslims and regularly uses religious war rhetoric while portraying Christians as marginalized and oppressed in America. Robinson, Cawthorn and Walker attended one of the group’s events in Asheville this week. Robinson is expected to headline other events for the group until the end of the year.

Since the story was published, Robinson – the most senior Republican elected official in the state – has found himself at the center of a new controversy over anti-LGBTQ talk.

This week, the Right Wing Watch group posted a video on Twitter of Robinson speaking at Seagrove Church in June. In the speech, he denounced public schools and LGBTQ people in the kind of language that has been common throughout his tenure. But this video, like the 2018 clip of a public gun rights speech that took him from political obscurity to senior civil service, has gone viral online.

There’s no reason anyone anywhere in America should tell kids about transgender, homosexuality, all that filth, Robinson said in the video clip of his church address. Yeah, I called it dirt.

The comments led to calls for his resignation from prominent Democrats and condemnation from the White House.

The comments are repugnant and offensive, Andrew Bates, deputy White House press secretary, said in a statement on Friday. The role of a leader is to bring people together and defend the dignity and rights of everyone; not to spread hatred and undermine their own function.

Robinson defends the words in interviews and statements. On Friday night, he used the controversy in a fundraising email in which he asked his supporters to help him “continue the fight against the left”.

The letter, in its entirety:

Democrats and RINOs (Republicans in name only) are calling on me to step down because I take a stand against the sexualization of our children in public schools.

Let’s be clear: I. WILL. NOT.

I will not resign, and I will not stop the fight. The left attacks me because I scare them. I am a black man who grew up in poverty and I am a Christian Conservative. I am the first black lieutenant governor of North Carolina to defend conservative values.

I’m a fighter who doesn’t curl up to the left, and because of that they hate me. They attack me, they insult me. WRAL even went so far as to represent me (a member of the State School Board) as a member of the KKK!

These calls to resignation are meant to silence me. It will not work.

I will continue to fight for the children of our state and for the rights of parents to decide when and how sexual content is discussed with their children.

I am not a politician and I hope I will never be seen as such. I am a Patriot and I need other Patriots to support me.

I call on 1,000 Patriots to show their support by donating $ 5, $ 10, $ 25, $ 50 or more so that we can continue the fight against the left. Together, we will push back the radical left and its intimidation tactics.

STAY WITH ME

Marc robinson

Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina

Robinson still has not responded to Policy Watch questions about his association with the American Renewal Project, his views on LGBTQ people, or his recent remarks. But we heard from Walker on Friday afternoon. The former congressman and current candidate for the US Senate said Policy Watch’s story did not give a nuanced view of its policies or its support from all political backgrounds. He also objected to the story characterization of his Bruce Springsteen criticism of his cancellation of a 2106 concert in Greensboro, North Carolina on HB2.

Walker’s email to Policy Watch:

Joe,

I hope you’re doing well. Read your article in a few points:

1. Bruce Springsteen: My main beef was that it canceled the day before and it cost local vendors and businesses a lot of money. I think it’s a little unfair to stereotype myself as another hottest Conservative. Here’s why that account is wrong: – I was the only Republican in the state who shouted the racist chant of Send her back to the rally in Greenville. In fact, I am happy to send you an article by Joe Scarborough commending me for the remarks., – I am the only Republican in the United States House to have won the UNCF Presidents List Award and I am the only Republican elected at all levels to give the opening speech at one of our states HBCU – The last time John Lewis crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge I was asked to accompany him 48 Democrats and 2 Republicans at King Memorial Baptist Church on Dexter Avenue. Shouldn’t you agree that there is a reason these relationships are genuine?

The point is that what you said about me being related to the conservative religious community is correct, but I think it is unfair to describe me as one-dimensional.

Thank you for allowing me to share my point of view

Marc W.

The Policy Watch story did not include any mention of racism regarding Walker, Robinson, or Cawthorn. His comments to Policy Watch did not address any of the various specific controversies that are detailed in the story.

Walker’s comments to the Hollywood Reporter on Springsteen in 2016 did not mention the rockstar’s impact on local vendors or businesses.

He described Springsteen as “a tyrant” and “known to be on the radical left”.

He then went beyond the HB2 controversy, which Walker suggested Springsteen misunderstood, to make an ill-motivated musical attack on Springsteen’s judgment.

He’s a guy with such a lack of judgment that he sang a dodge song at a Veterans Day concert meant to honor those who actually served, Walker said of Springsteen, referencing his performance of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Fortunate Son” at a concert for bravery in 2014.

The song, written by Army veteran John Fogerty, is one of the favorites of many Vietnam War veterans and servicemen to date, as evidenced by the enthusiastic applause given to Springsteen and Dave Grohl, who joined Country superstar Zack Brown in his song performance in front of service members and their families at the show.

Policy Watch asked Walker for his reaction to Robinson’s anti-LGBTQ remarks and his reaction to the substance of some of the American Renewal Project’s inflammatory remarks on LGBTQ people and non-Christians.

Walker has yet to respond.

Five years ago this week, Walker felt compelled to criticize then-presidential candidate Donal Trump for a series of obscene sexual remarks about taped women.

Walker made no comparable remark about the inflammatory comments and characterization of LGBTQ people by members of his own party, including Robinson, or the American Renewal Project and its affiliates.

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