Former "Reading Rainbow" host, LeVar Burton, stirred up a controversy during his opening remarks at the National Book Awards ceremony on Wednesday evening. The actor made an incendiary comment directed towards the parental rights group Moms for Liberty, drawing mixed reactions from audience members and sparking a heated response on social media.

As Burton surveyed the room, he asked if there were any Moms for Liberty present, only to comment, "Good! Then hands will not need to be thrown tonight." The audience responded with cheers, while Burton chuckled at his own remark.

The comment quickly gained attention on social media platforms as it polarized opinions among users. The national chapter of Moms for Liberty was among those who strongly condemned Burton's comment. In a post on an unspecified platform, the group accused Burton of "threatening physical violence against women" and expressed disappointment that someone who had been influential in the lives of children would stoop so low.

In response to the backlash, Moms for Liberty co-founder, Tiffany Justice, told Fox News Digital, "It is truly disheartening that somebody who has been so influential in the lives of children can stoop so low as to threaten their mothers." Justice also questioned the intentions behind Burton's comment, stating, "What are people like LeVar Burton trying to hide from us that it must come to physical violence to protect their agenda?"

While Moms for Liberty denies attempting to ban books, they are frequently associated with parental challenges to sexually explicit content in school libraries. Liberal critics have accused the organization of driving book-banning efforts in various school districts across the nation.

LeVar Burton, a literacy advocate, served as the honorary chair of the American Library Association's Banned Books Week in October. In a press release, he strongly criticized efforts to remove books from libraries, emphasizing the importance of reading and access to books as fundamental rights.

Ahead of the National Book Awards ceremony, organizers acknowledged the possibility of "political" or "controversial" speeches from the participants. The statement reiterated the organization's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all guests and encouraged attendees to approach the event with understanding and compassion.

Aside from Burton's comment, several writers at the National Book Awards used the platform to advocate for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Aaliyah Bilal, speaking on behalf of the finalists, called for a humanitarian cease-fire to address the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians.

Fox News Digital reached out to LeVar Burton for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Overall, Burton's comment regarding Moms for Liberty has led to a heated debate on social media, highlighting the tensions surrounding parental rights in education and freedom of speech. The incident underscores the continuing discussions on book censorship and the role of advocacy in promoting access to literature for all.