NRA Used "Parks And Recreation" GIF In Tweet, Show, Actors Are NOT Happy
By Jessi Minneci
February 22, 2018
**Caution: Strong language used within this article**
Following CNN's Wednesday evening town hall on the Parkland school shooting, the National Rifle Association tweeted out praise for its spokeswoman who attended the event.
Dana Loesch, NRA spokeswoman, faced heavy opposition as students, parents and even a law enforcement official expressed support for banning AR-15s and other assault rifles.
The NRA argues that the right to own such weapons is protected under the Second Amendment and that the best way to stop a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun.
A tweet following the town hall featured Amy Poehler's "Parks and Recreation" character Leslie Knope giving a 'thank you' of approval. The tweet commends Loesch for voicing her opinions.
.@DLoesch thank you for being the voice of over 5 Million #NRA members. pic.twitter.com/WDz7vujXfM
— NRA (@NRA) February 22, 2018
The GIF use didn’t go well with affiliates of the show.
“Parks and Recreation” creator Michael Schur tweeted back to the NRA and included a message from Poehler, who does not have a Twitter account.
Hi, please take this down. I would prefer you not use a GIF from a show I worked on to promote your pro-slaughter agenda.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) February 22, 2018
Also, Amy isn't on twitter, but she texted me a message: "Can you tweet the NRA for me and tell them I said fuck off?" https://t.co/YXSdzCdvdd
"Parks and Recreation" actor Nick Offerman, had an even harsher message for the influential organization.
.@NRA @DLoesch our good-hearted show and especially our Leslie Knope represent the opposite of your pro-slaughter agenda - take it down and also please eat shit. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Ar2YF4yoic
— Nick Offerman (@Nick_Offerman) February 22, 2018
Stoneman Douglas student Cameron Kasky also took aim at Loesch after the town hall in a series of tweets, calling her a “contemptible Disney villain.”
The contemptible Disney villain I was forced to look in the eye last night @DLoesch is a mom...
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) February 22, 2018
Just saying. Two sons.
Also, the SHAME ON YOU chants weren’t caught by the cameras unfortunately. #NeverAgain #MarchForOurLives
Thank you all for watching the Comedy Central Roast of the NRA and the coming out party for my ADHD. #NeverAgain #MarchForOurLives
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) February 22, 2018
PS thank you @marcorubio for showing up to that like a champ. A+ dude, and not just from the @NRA
As of Thursday morning, the NRA hasn’t deleted the “Parks and Recreation” GIF. Instead, they have tweeting out a story about an armed man coming to the aid of a police officer.