After SEE postponed screenings of American Sniper and sparked public debate about the film, College Republicans decided to sponsor a showing to take place Monday.
Student Entertainment Events, which organizes several free movie screenings on the campus throughout the year, decided to delay a screening of box-office hit American Sniper until the fall after the Muslim Students Association voiced concerns.
College Republicans collected more than 1,500 signatures between paper and online petitions. Breyer Hillegas, president of the University of Maryland’s College Republicans chapter, said there was widespread support for showing the movie.
“Censorship is horrible for a college campus,” Hillegas said. “Colleges are supposed to present everything and expose the students to everything. SEE’s decision set a precedent to say if any small group objects to something then it’s OK to limit its exposure to students.”
University President Wallace Loh sent an email to the campus community Tuesday saying he supports the MSA members, and they “were right to speak up for what they believe in.” He also praised College Democrats and College Republicans for collaborating to host a post-film discussion.
“Working together, despite differences in philosophy and doctrine, is a laudable example for us all,” Loh wrote in the email.
The MSA gathered more than 300 signatures on an online petition saying SEE should cancel the movie to help create a “more inclusive and diverse community atmosphere.”
“This war propaganda guised as art reveals a not-so-discreet Islamaphobic [sic], violent, and racist nationalist ideology,” the petition read.
The movie screening garnered national attention, as many critics said postponing the movie represents a restriction on free speech. Hillegas appeared on Fox News’ On the Record with Greta Van Susteren on April 23 to discuss the controversy.
“This isn’t a racist film,” Hillegas told Van Susteren. “It’s about a decorated American war hero who risked his life for you and me and all the viewers every day, just like everyday Americans do in the military, and we should honor them the way they need to be honored.”
The film will be shown at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a forum with panelists representing all sides of the debate, College Democrats President Ben Kramer said.
“We wanted to make sure on this campus we let students see the movie, but also that we created a forum for students to talk about why the movie is controversial and that the forum is a warm environment for people who might feel alienated by the film,” Kramer said.
Admission to the screening is limited, and tickets will be available Monday at 10 a.m. outside the theater.
