Hollywoodhighlands.org begs to differ with L.A. Now’s version of what happened when the Vine Street Theatre tried to exhibit “Innocence of Bin Laden” that fateful Saturday night.
Representing our anti-racist website, I arrived the Saturday evening in question just before the announced showing was to start. When I attempted to buy a ticket, I was told by the assistant manager in the glass cage that the showing had been canceled.
The marquee lights already had been turned off.
I live just around the corner from the theatre.
Hollywoodhighlands.org has the iPad video of this encounter and subsequent emails that were sent to the editor and publisher of the L.A. Times, informing them of the movie cancellation. (See page 1 of today’s Times.)
To this moment, the Times never has responded to any of our many emails pertaining to “Innocence of Bin Laden.”
Over the past year, we have received only one response from a Times editor in spite of our rather frequent attempts to elicit information on a variety of matters, primarily on journalistic ethics.
That lone cordial email came from Mr. Shelby Grad. It was related to a completely different cause for concern.
What about further evidence that has been overlooked?
There is my appearance before the Los Angeles City Council the day before the announced screening where I informed them of the possible dangers in showing this incendiary movie publicly in a religiously diverse of a community as Hollywood.
Hollywood activists had planned a protest in front of the theatre. That announcement is on the record, too.
Although the Los Angeles Times has overlooked these easily established facts, you are free to play catch-up since every City Council meeting video is archived in its entirety, available both to reporters and the public for viewing.
Indeed, it will be extremely difficult for the Times to rewrite history concerning the “Innocence of bin Laden” matter.
The official video vindicates our version of what happened. View it to see if it proves me a liar. That is a challenge.
Separately
And now according to Film L.A., the LAPD has become involved by opening an investigation into this movie.
That makes these already serious matters much more complex. Wouldn’t you agree?
Slapdash internet reporting on L.A. Now simly won’t hold up. This is much too controversial, and of major interest to a worldwide audience.
Feel free to ignore us if that is the desire of incumbent Mayor Villaraigosa and the current candidate for Mayor, Eric Garcetti.
The Vine Street Theatre is in his Councilmanic District.
Councilman Garcetti refused to speak with us at the time about the movie controversy.
Try asking Eric to test his memory on this now crucial matter.
Or the Times can let him off the hook, sparing the Mayoralty candidate potential embarrassment. Would it be the first time?
Mr. Walsh may be contacted at hollywoodhighlands.org
