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Showing Original Post only (View all)The Almost Entirely Black Audience Of "The Butler" Had To Watch Film W-Armed Guards Facing Them [View all]
Racial profiling is exactly what Regal Cinemas is being accused of over their deployment of armed police and extra security steps at an 8:05 pm showing of The Butler. Thirty-five year-old Tiffany Flowers and her husband, 38 year-old Alan Hanson (update: the couple are not married), were shocked by what happened at the theater. Ms. Flowers tweets:
Id like to take this time to express my utter disgust with@RegalMovies cinema in Silver Spring, MD. You all should stay away from here.
.@hanson_alan and I went to see #TheButler @RegalMovies last night and let me tell you what an unpleasant experience it was
Tickets were double validated. First they get torn then upon entering the theater (10 FT. AWAY) we were asked for stubs again.@RegalMovies
Then as soon as we enter the theater we were greeted by an actual police officer who herded traffic in one direction. @RegalMovies
Once we get around the corner and start looking for seats we see yet another police office inside the theater facing patrons.@RegalMovies
This was our first (and final) trip @regalmovies but we were told that this is completely out of the ordinary. #TheButler
The almost entirely black audience of #TheButler was subjected to watching the film while armed guards faced the audience. Why?@RegalMovies
RT @HoneyNectar17: @Me @RegalMovies Why the police presence? Is it a rowdy theater with a lot of unruly pre-teens and teenagers? < No!
@HoneyNectar17 @RegalMovies As a matter of fact it was the 8:05 show. There were mostly elders and people our age in the crowd.#TheButler
@Oprah I went out to support #TheButler last night and@RegalMovies thought itd be cool to extend the onscreen discrimination to the crowd.
.@hanson_alan and I went to see #TheButler @RegalMovies last night and let me tell you what an unpleasant experience it was
Tickets were double validated. First they get torn then upon entering the theater (10 FT. AWAY) we were asked for stubs again.@RegalMovies
Then as soon as we enter the theater we were greeted by an actual police officer who herded traffic in one direction. @RegalMovies
Once we get around the corner and start looking for seats we see yet another police office inside the theater facing patrons.@RegalMovies
This was our first (and final) trip @regalmovies but we were told that this is completely out of the ordinary. #TheButler
The almost entirely black audience of #TheButler was subjected to watching the film while armed guards faced the audience. Why?@RegalMovies
RT @HoneyNectar17: @Me @RegalMovies Why the police presence? Is it a rowdy theater with a lot of unruly pre-teens and teenagers? < No!
@HoneyNectar17 @RegalMovies As a matter of fact it was the 8:05 show. There were mostly elders and people our age in the crowd.#TheButler
@Oprah I went out to support #TheButler last night and@RegalMovies thought itd be cool to extend the onscreen discrimination to the crowd.
MORE:
http://www.mediaite.com/online/patrons-report-armed-police-at-silver-spring-maryland-screening-of-lee-daniels-the-butler/
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The Almost Entirely Black Audience Of "The Butler" Had To Watch Film W-Armed Guards Facing Them [View all]
kpete
Aug 2013
OP
Yep. It was great. Not a very diverse crowd, but that was o.k. The audience laughed, cried, cheered.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Aug 2013
#89
Oh, sorry about that. I think I'll start going to Avalon. It's out of the way, but I like the fact
Liberal_Stalwart71
Aug 2013
#90
I tried to tell my friends that they could park back there, but they didn't believe me. Oh, well.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Aug 2013
#98
I can understand why, but despite all that has happened in the last few years, I do think we've
Liberal_Stalwart71
Aug 2013
#103
Wow! I saw the film on Friday morning... I'm not sure any other big screen film has really told
jimlup
Aug 2013
#13
Actually according to that Wikipedia page he sold his controlling shares of Regal in 2006.
Initech
Aug 2013
#91
Welcome to entertainment in the "Colorblind America" of the 21st Century Police State.
leveymg
Aug 2013
#27
When I lived on Georgia Ave a few years ago I was the only nonblack person for several blocks
Recursion
Aug 2013
#42
That entire area is almost all gentrified now starting-at & north of Columbia Heights/Mt Pleasant.
Chan790
Aug 2013
#102
No!! Silver Spring is incredibly diverse!! You don't know what you're talking about.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Aug 2013
#61
I know Silver Spring is diverse. Georgia Ave through DC isn't so much, or at least wasn't
Recursion
Aug 2013
#66
This may be true but Silver Spring is changing very rapidly and becoming more
Liberal_Stalwart71
Aug 2013
#63