‘Amish Mafia’ News: Lancaster Chamber Of Commerce Exploiting Culture More Then Violent reality Shot? New Report Claims Opponents Of Series Aren’t Innocent [PHOTOS]
There's been a major movement in Lancaster County to get the popular Discovery channel series Amish Mafia out of town and off television, but a new report claims that the show is not the only thing guilty of exploiting the peaceful culture that is largely settled in the area.
Religious Groups Join Movement Against 'Amish Mafia'
In a column for Penn Live on August 8, writer Nancy Eshelman claimed that the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce is just as responsible for exploiting the Amish culture as the show-which has been touted as a form of 'Amish-sploitation.'
The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Pennsylvania Dutch Convention both released a joint statement last week, throwing their support behind the "Respect Amish' movement, and calling for local businesses to not support production of the Discovery Channel series.
3,000 Local Business Join Movement Against 'Amish Mafia'
A part of the group's statement read: "While our economy has thrived, our arts and culture have diversified and our growing population has discovered the many assets of Lancaster County living, we have remained steadfast in our support and appreciation for living side by side with our neighbors in the Amish culture - a support and appreciation that begins with respecting their lifestyle."
According to Eshleman though, the claims by the Visitors Bureau are laughable because they are just as guilty of exploiting the Amish.
"Just look at the name of the visitors' bureau. Who are these Pennsylvania Dutch of whom they speak?" she writes. 'Ah, yes, the Amish and other Plain people who live in the county. The visitors' bureau works feverishly to lure tourists to Lancaster Country to gawk at the Amish."
Eshleman is the first person to speak out in part against the movement.
