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The creator of the hit broadway musical “Hamilton” is being called out for supporting a convicted terrorist who targeted Americans after he previously paused his show to lecture Vice President-elect Mike Pence on protecting the country’s citizens.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote and starred in “Hamilton,” had his co-star read a statement on stage to Pence in November when the vice president-elect attended the show. The playwright, a Hillary Clinton supporter, called on Pence to “uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us” because he is afraid the incoming Trump administration will not protect all Americans.
However, Miranda celebrated on Twitter after President Obama on Tuesday commuted the prison sentence for Oscar Lopez Rivera, a member of the Armed Forces of National Liberation, known by its Spanish acronym FALN, Mediaite reported.
FALN was a communist group dedicated to Puerto Rican independence that used terrorism inside the United States to promote its cause. Lopez Rivera was a key figure behind several bombings in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s, some of which killed Americans.
Nobody said Pence was horrible or condemned him from the stage.Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the hit musical, began the message by thanking Pence for attending the play and saying, "We hope you will hear us out."
"We, sir -- we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights," Dixon said. "We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us."
The "Hamilton" cast's message to Pence came after some in the crowd booed the Vice President-elect. Pence said he did notice the booing, but it didn't spoil the show.
"My daughter and I and her cousins really enjoyed the show. 'Hamilton' is just an incredible production, incredibly talented people. It was a real joy to be there," Pence said.
"When we arrived we heard a few boos, and we heard some cheers," he said, "I nudged my kids and reminded them that is what freedom sounds like."