An Italian American anti-defamation group has joined the criticism of North Central College’s choice of filmmaker Spike Lee as its Martin Luther King Jr. week speaker.

Anthony E. La Piana, founder and president of the Lombard-based National Italian American Council, said Lee’s characterization of Italians in films makes him a bad choice for the college’s keynote speaker for the week celebrating the civil rights leader. La Piana joins the Italic Institute of America in its criticism earlier this week. (Photos: Italian group leader: Spike Lee is wrong choice)

“I don’t think they gave it much thought,” La Piana said Tuesday, adding that he thinks Lee is a poor role model. La Piana said he’s seen some of Lee’s films like “Do the Right Thing.”

“In no way is he a friend of Italian Americans, and the proof is in his films,” he said.

North Central’s Director of Public Relations and Communications Ted Slowik said the college is excited about having Lee speak Jan. 18. He said Lee’s portrayals of different ethnicities in films was considered when choosing him as speaker, but the invitation is not an indication of the college’s views.

“It’s not to be viewed as an endorsement of Spike Lee’s policies or anything,” he said. “(The criticism) hasn’t changed a thing.”

Slowik said the college fully anticipates the Jan. 18 event to sell out, and there has been great interest from students and the community in the visit.