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Arts and Entertainment

Hollywood Walk Of Fame Says Bill Cosby's Star Isn't Going Anywhere

By  Emma G. Gallegos
Published Jul 9, 2015 12:00 AM
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The Walk of Fame is kind of joke that includes Hollywood legends such as Donald Trump and The Rugrats, and yet it's an attraction that draws tourists from all over the world. For that reason, some activists are saying it's time to rethink Bill Cosby's star now that he's admitted to obtaining Quaaludes in order to give to women. Honoring a man who dozens of women said drugged and raped them isn't exactly putting Hollywood's best face forward.

Monuments honoring the once-beloved comedian are looking increasingly creepy. Disney World in Florida has removed a statue of Cosby at its studios. But the Walk of Fame says it has no plan to get rid of the Cosby star—nor the star belonging to Trump, who has been shunned for blaming rape on Mexican immigrants.

Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive, offered up a statement to NBC Los Angeles explaining their rationale:

"The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has received inquiries asking on whether we are planning to remove the stars of Donald Trump and Bill Cosby. The answer is no. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a registered historic landmark. Once a star has been added to the Walk, it is considered a part of the historic fabric of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Because of this, we have never removed a star from the Walk. "The late Johnny Grant, who chaired the Hollywood Walk of Fame Selection Committee for many years, made the following statement when asked this question: ‘Stars are awarded for professional achievement to the world of entertainment and contributions to the community. A celebrity’s politics, philosophy, irrational behavior, outrageous remarks or anything like that have never been cause to remove a Walk of Fame star.'"

Some local civil rights activists have been calling for the Walk of Fame to remove the star. Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic Hope
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lobbied for the star's removal. He writes that he was disappointed to hear of the committee's decision: "It's a shame and it really gives Hollywood a black eye."

We won't be surprised to hear if some guerrilla artists vandals decide to take matters into their own hands, again. Also: Kim Kardashian doesn't seem like such a bad candidate for the Walk of Fame these days.