NY: Protest Tropic Thunder Wednesday 8/13/08 at Colonie Center

[Guest guest]

Marie Schuller wrote: From the National Down Syndrome Congress: The film "Tropic Thunder" had its Hollywood premiere on Monday, and will open across the country tomorrow (Wednesday, August 13th). Throughout the film is the sub-plot of "Simple Jack", a story about a man with an intellectual disability, played for laughs. The word "retard" or variations of it, is used multiple times. Additionally, there are other characterizations that are demeaning to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Facts about the content of the film, as well as several articles can be found at www.patriciaebauer.com. A link to a small portion of the film can be found at

http://www.fandango.com/videos_1_863151/v389934 Over the past week, a coalition of disability rights organizations, including the NDSC, has been speaking together and with DreamWorks, the studio behind the film, about possible changes to "Tropic Thunder". Unfortunately, although the studio is open to talking about long-term systemic change, they were unwilling to make significant alterations to the film Therefore, a decision has been made to boycott the film and to provide informational leafleting and pickets as the film opens. What You Can Do The Self Advocacy Association of NYS has planned a protest outside of the Regal Cinema in Colonie Center. If this issue is important to you and your loved ones, please plan to join in. When: Wednesday, August 13th Time: 10:00 am Place: Regal Cinema,

Colonie Center, Wolf Road, Albany, NY Questions: Contact Pat at Diane E. LangExecutive DirectorDown Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, Inc.1 Marcus

Blvd., Suite 105Albany, NY 12205FAX 438-2716www.dsahrc.orgNotice: This message is confidential, intended for the named recipient (s) and may contain information that is (I) proprietary to the sender, and/or, (II) privileged, confidential and/or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable Florida and federal law, including, but not limited to, privacy standards imposed pursuant to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Receipt by anyone other than the named recipient (s) is not a waiver of any applicable privilege. Thank you in advance for your compliance with this notice.