Actor George Takei has compared Utah
Governor Gary Herbert to segregationist George Wallace.
Takei was in Utah Saturday for the
Sundance Film Festival premiere of To Be Takei, Director
Jennifer Kroots documentary which takes a look at Takei's journey
from spending part of his childhood in a World War II internment camp
to manning the helm of the Starship Enterprise.
Herbert has vowed to defend the state's
ban on gay marriage and has refused to recognize the marriages of
some 1,300 gay and lesbian couples.
“He reminds me of Governor George
Wallace about 50 years [ago], who stood in the schoolhouse doorway
trying to deny little black girls and little black boys equality in
education,” Takei told TheWrap.com.
“That's what Governor Herbert is trying to do, deny justice.
These are people that legally, lawfully got married, and he's saying
no, no, no.”
It was the second swipe Takei had taken
against Herbert in as many days.
“Why is your Governor Gary Herbert so
mean?” he rhetorically and repeatedly asked during an interview
with The
Salt
Lake Tribune. “Your Governor Herbert is consciously
bringing harm to 2,600 citizens of Utah. … Your governor is trying
to put toothpaste back in the tube.”