State Farm pulls Rob Schneider ad after he takes a stand against vaccinations

Rob Schneider vs. State Farm: Comedian rants on Twitter after company yanks commercials due to star’s anti-vaccination views

 September 25, 2014

bRob Schneider as he appeared in a commercial for State Farm insurance.

Saturday Night Live alum Rob Schneider has suggested that State Farm violated his right to free speech after the company pulled a commercial featuring the actor, due to his anti-vaccination stance.
” ‘If the Freedom of Speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter,’ George Washington,” The actor tweeted on Wednesday following State Farm’s removal of the commercial, which starred the actor. “Sorry, but People are looking for a less toxic way to stay healthy!”

State Farm pulled the commercial after social media users objected to Schneider’s involvement in the campaign, with some pointing out that the insurance giant had promoted August as “National Immunization Awareness Month” just weeks before the commercial began airing. Many others pointed out the incongruity of a company that provides health insurance employing an individual whose opinions on immunization may lead to widespread public health risk.

“[Schneider’s] ad has unintentionally been used as a platform for discussion unrelated to the products and services we provide,” Phil Supple, State Farm’s director of public affairs, told PRWeek of the company’s decision to nix the commercial. “With that, we are working to remove the ad from our rotation at this time.”



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