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Gay rights protestors to boycott Cinemark’s showing of ‘Milk’
By Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
Friday night protestors gathered to boycott showings of the recently released movie “Milk” at the Cinemark Legacy in Plano. The protestors are expected to return on Saturday.
“Milk,” starring Sean Penn, is about Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist from the 1970s. After moving to San Francisco from New York, Milk, on his third attempt, was elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977, making him the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States. The following year Dan White, former city supervisor, shot both Milk and the city's mayor, George Moscone. White blamed the two for denying White's attempt to rescind his resignation from the board.
Israel Luna, a gay independent filmmaker from Dallas, serves as segment producer for DVtv, Dallas Voice’s online video news outlet. This is the first time Luna has organized a protest. He said the recent controversy surrounding Cinemark and the movie inspired him to get involved.
“This issue is important because we want to give a message to people in higher positions that if they have an archaic way of thinking, there will be consequences,” Luna said. “I’ve never done anything like this before. I guess this one hit close to home because it has to do with the industry that I’m in. I really believe in this and I really do think that this is the right thing to do.”
The issue that sparked Luna’s involvement in the protest is that Cinemark CEO Alan Stock contributed $9,999 to Yes on 8, the campaign to outlaw same-sex marriage in California. Now Cinemark, the nation’s third-largest theater chain, will profit from showings of “Milk.”
In an e-mailed statement the Plano-based company released, Cinemark officials said it “did not make any financial contribution to either side on the Proposition 8 vote in California.”
“The company does not take a formal position on political issues that do not directly affect our business. It would be inappropriate to influence our employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment, especially on political, social or religious activities,” wrote James Meredith, Vice President, Marketing & Communications Cinemark USA, Inc. “Cinemark is dedicated to providing high quality entertainment for all of our customers. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, creed, religion or sexual orientation.”
The protest Luna has organized is set to return to the Cinemark Legacy around noon on Saturday. Luna said he met with management at the Cinemark theater and informed them about the rally.
“People should come out for the protest,” Luna said. “We don’t want this to be an angry protest; we just want to inform people about the issue.”
Luna has also been in contact with the Plano Police Department to make this a smooth, non-violent protest.
“We have officers stationed at the theater who are capable at handling crowds at any time,” said Andrae Smith, spokesman for the Plano Police Department.
The “No Milk for Cinemark” campaign still wants people to see the movie, but people are encouraged to see it somewhere else.
Luna has contacted representatives from the Angelika Plano, another theater where “Milk” is showing. Luna said he’s hoping fliers distributed to movie-goers at the rally will be good for free popcorn or discounted tickets to see “Milk” at the Angelika.
“Hopefully this will be a success,” Luna said. “A group of us will be there to hand out fliers about the rally. I want people to bring gay flags; dress outrageously and really let people know why we’re there.”
For information about the national movement visit www.nomilkforcinemark.com or for information about the Dallas-area movement visit www.lalunaentertainment.com.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.
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So if we don't think like you, you are going to punish us financially. How hypocritical of you.
Do you think these protests that end up on YouTube showing gay men knocking down an old lady's cross to the ground and stomping on it is doing your cause good?
Do you think punishing a company that employs thousands of people because an individual in the company is against Prop. 8 does your cause good?
I think not. "