The crowd was searched for weapons at Fahrenheit 9/11 movie.....

[Claire Beth]

in Nashville last night. First of all, we attended the 7:20pm show and it was absolutely FANTASTIC! We went in without any incident...at the end, the movie received a STANDING OVATION.... The theatre (ALL SHOWS) were sold out.

We had no problem getting in but in leaving we noticed the crowd for the next show had been lined up by management single-file to be searched for weapons before entering the movie. We know this for sure because an employee was announcing that everyone who wanted to go inside for the movie was going to be searched. No explanation was given as to the reason, but we suspect some *right wing* nut possibly called in threats trying to make it so difficult for theatre management that they would just pull the movie! Having to shake down over 300 people every show would have to be a pain. Did this happen to anyone else anywhere, or was this an isolated incident in Nashville?

Also, at the concession stand the workers told us they had been instructed by management to NOT discuss the movie with anyone.

[ALago1]

1. Wow

My scene in New Jersey suburbia was much less intense, but the crowd enjoyed it immensely and gave it an enthusiastic ovation at the end.

[TexasSissy]

2. No way! Really? Methinks the Repubs are showing their

yellow stripes.

[Gato Moteado]

3. were they looking for WMDs?

nt

[Claire Beth]

15. I thought Asscroft was there in person for a little bit! n/t

[Boomer]

4. Frederick, MD

We noticed two movie attendants standing on either side of the theater during the entire showing. Since it was our first visit to this particular theater, we can't state categorically that this was out of the ordinary, but I've never seen such "dedication" at other theaters. Usually the attendants just peek in every so often, if at all.

Just as a note, we were the first to arrive for the Saturday morning showing and one of the theater employees let us into the lobby a bit early. He also commented that he'd seen the movie the night before and that it was really good, so the reception to a highly partisan crowd was positive.

[PoohStuff]

5. No Searches but..

We had a Cop check our tickets in Miami. I had put them in my pocket and was holding a tray of food when I was stopped, ordered to put down the tray, and give him my stub. He did that with eveyone there. I went to the 5:20 showing last night, and by the time it let out, the line for the next showing was going all along the wall, out to the parking lot and back in again! My hubby thought it was ridicilous, but I would of been furious if some nut came in there starting trouble. It all boils down to "you can say whatever you want, only if I like it -- and if I don't you can't see it either" with the right wingnuts. I feel like I'm in elementary school when I see their actions. *sigh*

[Gordon25]

9. This may have been because...

...there have been reports of Freepers buying tickets to other films and then sneaking in to F 9/11 "to keep from giving any money to Michael Moore."

Saw it on an earlier post here at DU.

Gordon25

[PoohStuff]

14. Oh sheesh...

How Lame. *sigh* Didn't know that thanks for the info.

[NMDemDist2]

6. last night we had uniformed city Police officers in conspicuous

attendance at several areas in front of the theater, in the lobby and at the door to the actual viewing room checking tickets

the "rent a cops" were hanging out at a table at the Starbucks next door.

[Citizen Daryl]

7. I saw you there, Claire_beth!

Briefly - you shouted a reminder to everyone to vote on the way out, right?

Sorry I didn't get a chance to stop and chat.

Has there been any news about why they went gulag at the 10:10 showing? Cops inside, cops outside, weapons searches. I had a friend of mine in line from Kentucky who drove down to catch the late showing. He had a small Swiss knife in his pocket that he carries with him everywhere, he was worried they were going to confiscate it. I took it on my way out so he wouldn't lose it.

[Claire Beth]

10. Yep, that was me....

and now I am curious as to how you knew it was me?

[Citizen Daryl]

8. PS: My friend wasn't searched.

I found out today that they were just looking through handbags and weren't patting people down or anything.

In other words, it was all for appearance' sake.

[Claire Beth]

12. were you aware....

that the employees had been instructed to NOT discuss the movie with anyone? I thought that was weird.

[TN al]

11. Wow...

...I saw it in Nashville yesterday, 11:00am show. No sign of police anywhere at that time of day.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. A woman was arrested in a Minneapolis suburb

for distributing anti-Bush bumper stickers. I just got this e-mail from someone who saw the incident and is trying to spread the word:

"Dear Friends,

On Friday, the 25th of June, I went to watch the 9:55 PM showing of
Fahrenheit 911 at the AMC Southdale theater on screen 7. Before the
movie started, a young woman in the theater was arrested by the Edina
police at the behest of theater management. She had been selling
anti-Bush (but not pro-Kerry) bumper stickers to the line of people
waiting to be seated, then the theater management had told her she
couldn't do that, so she started to give the stickers away. Then they
told her to leave. She refused, saying she had paid for a seat and was
going to watch the movie. She sat down quietly in the theater with her
friends. Finaly, she was arrested and physically removed by an Edina
police officer. I'm not a lawyer, but I would guess that AMC were
acting within their legal rights. That doesn't make it right, though.
Let's all let AMC know we won't be patronizing their theaters until they
issue a very public apology to the woman and the rest of the public.
Let's also keep our ears open for other stories like this and for anyone
who might know the name of the woman who was arrested. If you have news
of either, please write to [e-mail]

Everyone, please call AMC and let them know how you feel about this, and
that you won't be returning to their theaters unless and until they
issue a public apology;

AMC Theaters Community Relations (24-7, toll free, talk to a real human)
1-877-262-4450
Your comments will be passed on to upper management."

[ShaneGR]

18. Not gonna harass the theatre that agreed to show me the film

The AMC Merchant 16 I went to, the people were fantastic and the show went off without a hitch. If they told her she couldn't do that, she should have put them away until after the show was over.

[peacetalksforall]

19. I can see why they protested the distribution within the theatre or on

land they own - distributing bumper stickers could be construed that it was an AMC sponsored act. They seemed to have made the decision to show the movie, but they don't have to allow materials distribution. Outside the theatre and off their property seems right. But, they probably didn't have to have her arrested. I think they have a right to remain neutral in substance if not perception.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. Agree about the distribution

but it seems to me that once she stopped distributing the literature and sat down to watch the movie, which she had paid for, they should have left her alone. Since it's private property they could legitimately ask her not to pass out the bumper stickers, but having her arrested after she stopped doing it and was just watching the show was inappropriate. This was in a very Republican suburb, not sure if that had anything to do with it.

[peacetalksforall]

23. Yes, to pull her out after the movie started was silly - and calling the

police was probably also silly.

[Fleshdancer]

16. the freepers must be VERY scared

I love it.

[ShaneGR]

17. I'll bet you a dollar that theatre got some pretty nasty email and calls

Someone probably threatened to start blowing people away.

[Trillo]

21. Typical police state "tactic"... Feel the FEAR....

Use the police to weed out those potential viewers who'd rather not be searched: Make it too much trouble to go.

[spaceman75]

22. Searching for WMDs...?

Just a thought....