11/24/2008
Massive Prop 8 Protest Targets Cinemark Theatre in Evanston, IL
A massive protest targeting Alan Stock, the Mormon owner of the Cinemark theatre chain who donated $9,999 to the Proposition 8 campaign, took place in Evanston, Illinois over the weekend. the protest was organized by Chicago's Gay Liberation Network and its organizer Andy Thayer, who speaks in the video below.
The Daily Northwestern reports:
"'If you're going to target our community with hate, whether it's Prop. 8 or any other measure going forward, it's no longer going to be without consequences,' said Andy Thayer, Weinberg '85, the co-founder of Chicago's Gay Liberation Network. 'We are going to hit you in the pocketbook just the way you hit us in terms of our rights.' The Gay Liberation Network began planning a response to Stock's donation on Nov. 15 during the Chicago rally against California's Proposition 8, a measure that bans same-sex marriage. 'This is a local protest that should keep the pot stirring until we have the next national day of protest,' Thayer said. Cinemark Theatres, an international corporation that includes Century Theatres and CinéArts, is the third-largest movie chain in the country. Managers of Evanston's theater said they could not comment on the protest, and calls to Cinemark corporate offices were not returned."
The New York Times reported on Friday about Cinemark's plans to screen Milk, and how various parties are responding to it:
"In a particularly ticklish exercise, [Focus Features] continues to plan showings of 'Milk' in theaters owned by the Cinemark chain, whose chief executive, Alan Stock, donated to the campaign for Proposition 8. Taking a cue from Milk — who made his political breakthrough by supporting a union boycott of Coors beer — opponents of the marriage ban have begun their own boycott through a Web site, NoMilkforCinemark.com. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Cinemark, one of the country’s largest theater chains, said its decision to proceed with plans to show the movie also reflected a principle: 'It would be inappropriate to influence our employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment, especially on political, social or religious activities.' On Thursday James Schamus, the chief executive of Focus, struck a diplomatic note. 'I know there’s a lot of anger out there,' said Mr. Schamus, who noted that Cinemark three years ago was among the first chains to embrace the studio’s gay-themed 'Brokeback Mountain.'...'I hope that gets settled,' he said of the boycott call."
(top image: michael lehet)
Two more videos, including one from Chicago Examiner blogger Michael Lehet,
AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 11:23 AM EST by Andy Towle in Activism, California, Chicago, Gay Marriage, Mormon, News, Proposition 8 | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
The solution is quite simple. Fire Alan Stock as CEO of Cinemark. For extra points take away any stock options.
Posted by: ggreen | Nov 24, 2008 11:56:50 AM
Official response from Cinemark:
Dear Ms. Hawthorne, (it's mister thank you very much)
We received your correspondence regarding your concerns about the
Proposition 8 vote in California. Please know that Cinemark made no
financial contribution to either side on this issue. 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. 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. We appreciate the importance of
this matter to you. We hope that you equally appreciate that any
individual act or contribution is just that, individual acts of personal
expression and do not reflect company positions or policy.
Kindest regards,
James Meredith
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Cinemark USA, Inc.
I was tickled to hear the demonstrator say the Alan Stock wasn't JUST another employee. Same argument I made in reply. What about Kenneth Lay and Enron. BS
Posted by: Raven | Nov 24, 2008 12:17:06 PM
I really wish Gus Van Zant and the screenwriter of MILK, Dustin Lance Black, had some power to step in and force Focus Features to pull MILK from all CineMark and CineArts screens.
Posted by: peterparker | Nov 24, 2008 12:24:30 PM
Not sure if everyone knows but Cinemark operates Century, CineArts and Tinseltown theatres as well as Cinemark brand.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 24, 2008 12:26:15 PM
I agree the firing of Alan Stick would be a a good move.
I must say though I am VERY disappointed by the Movie industrys lack of support and invlovement. Its almost like they are almost ignoring the issue at hand. And when something is mentioned its damage control.
Lets put this bluntly. In an industry that has a high concentration of Lesbians and Homosexuals directly involved on it they should be standing with us. But instead everyone is trying to seperate individuals from businesses. The almighty dollar is more importnat than human rights in Hollywood obviously.
If it became known that Alan Stock donated to the KKK, or sonated to an organization that worked to repeal and hold back rights from Women, African Americans, or Jews teh industry would be ALL OVER HIM and CINEMARK.
Same with Sundance. Showing most of the Movies at Cinemark, Making their headquarters and referring guests to The Mariotts in Park City owned by the Huntington Group (Courtyard Marriott, Fairfield Inn Marriott, Residence Inn Marriott, and Spring Hill Suites) of which Brett Andrus the CEO was a major cash contributor ($25,000) to Yes on 8. But Sundance will not adress this and is basically ignoring it. Where I understand it would be a LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE to cancel or try to rearrange they should at the VERY LEAST acknowledge this and try to rectify it in some way and stand with us.
Posted by: Wolfie | Nov 24, 2008 12:27:12 PM
As the Brits say, we are batting off a sticky wicket. (You could also reference Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby, for those going WAY back to the 40's.)
On the one hand, yes, I'd like to see this guy get a bit of a karmic backslap. On the other hand, this chain is willing to step up for us and show gay-themed films, when some theater chains refuse to do so. And just as much as with "Brokeback," Hollywood is going to be watching the grosses for "Milk" very carefully. If it makes a profit--even a modest one--more gay-themed movies get made. If it tanks, they don't. (Listen up, all you "Oh, I'll just wait for the DVD" people.)
In Portland, "Milk" is initially opening downtown at the Regal Fox Tower, which is one of the most overpriced theaters in the metro area, and the screens are small and boxy. The Cinemark theaters are out in the 'burbs (West Portland and Beaverton), and are not only nicer, but more "progressive" in terms of showing gay-themed movies in a non-urban environment. Buying a ticket there really makes a statement.
So, I'm thinking I might (MIGHT) see "Milk" at Cinemark, but not buy any concessions since that's where the theater makes its money. But it still sends a message to the STUDIO that gay films are important enough to get out and pay money to see on the big screen, and that they can play beyond "gay" neighborhoods or urban areas. (On the other hand, if "Milk" plays exclusively at the Fox Tower, this whole argument will be moot.)
In summary, I'd say: if you have a choice, try to see "Milk" at another theater. If Cinemark is the ONLY place it's playing near you, however, grit your teeth and remember you're supporting the MOVIE, not the theater. Just my .02.
Posted by: Dback | Nov 24, 2008 12:41:33 PM
dback: pragmatism will get you nowhere.
Posted by: frank | Nov 24, 2008 1:06:17 PM
BRAVO to Thayer and his fellow protestors. We must STOP the goddamn POINTLESS demonstrations in neutral places like our own neighborhoods such as the Castro, or at City Halls or in front of State Houses where we already have support but bring it to the doorstep, actual or symbolic, OF THE ENEMY!
E.g., the "Impact" demo in San Francisco a week ago was impressive because of its thousands of attendess but the location should have been the home of the SF Archbishop who it's been documented CONSPIRED WITH the leaders of the Mormon Church to pass H8TE, or, again, in front of the nearest Mormon church in Oakland. NOT in front of City Hall where the Mayor, his administration, and the Board of Supervisors all support us.
Just as pointless was the demonstration this weekend in front of the California state capitol in Sacramento. The CA legislature is NOT the problem—thanks to CA gay Assembleyman/State Senator-Elect Mark Leno, they've passed bills for marriage equality TWICE. Even tho Gov. Arnold shamelessly vetoed them, he was against Prop H8TE, however weakly.
The people behind Prop H8TE are our American Taliban, and, as stupid as Bush is, even he didn't send troops to fight them in front of the Washington Monument.
Have we learned nothing from the black civil rights movement and its segregated bus boycotts and restaurants sit ins.
And for those Pansy Pollyannas still believing that we should "play nice," I remind you of the 20+ yr. old words of Martin Luther King's mentor, black gay icon Bayard Rustin:
"Our job is not to get those people who dislike us to love us. Nor was our aim in the civil rights movement to get prejudiced white people to love us. Our aim was to try to create the kind of America, legislatively, morally, and psychologically, such that even though some whites continued to hate us, they could not openly mainifest that hate. That's our job today: to control the extent to which people can publicly manifest antigay sentiment." – Bayard Rustin.
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Nov 24, 2008 2:00:04 PM
Andy and the Gay Liberation Network are rock stars in the fight for gay rights. So much of what they do gets unnoticed by the national media and I;m happy to see it here.
Come to the monthly organizing meeting of the GLN on Wednesday, December 3 – 7 – 9 PM at the Gerber Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville Street, Chicago (just ½ block west of the “Granville” Red Line el stop). There are a lot of ways for you to become involved. Come and get involved in your rights!
Posted by: Marc | Nov 24, 2008 3:08:11 PM
Wolfie,
Actually Paramount Pictures donated $1 million to the HRC.
Posted by: Sacgary | Nov 24, 2008 6:25:03 PM
The Islamic community supported Prop 8 financially and by voting for it. How come the angry gays aren't out protesting a single mosque? It's because the homosexual lobby are a bunch of cowards who have no moral convictions, zero moral courage and zero credibility. The Muslims don't want to stop you from marrying, they want you dead. The "courage" of the left is to say fashionable things that all their friends agree with, and attack people who would never strike back or hurt them. Stick to protesting and vandalizing those all-White Christian churches and businesses you pussywimps.
Posted by: Boy George | Nov 24, 2008 8:56:06 PM
I used to work for Century Theatres when they were an independant company. They were much more gay-friendly back then.
I tried to get a donation of movie tickets for a non-profit event from Cinemark. They wouldn't do it. I was told that they do not give out donations to individual organizations, but the board of directors decides where the company will donate. I'm curious to find out what organizations Cinemark has made donations.
Posted by: Chris | Nov 25, 2008 5:21:24 PM