Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Roundup of "Tropic Thunder" protest media coverage

The protest at the premiere of the film "Tropic Thunder" put many disability rights advocates front and center in the news media. Finally!

Here's a round up of some of the coverage:

* CNN, "Dozens protest at 'Tropic Thunder' premiere"

* The AP, "Mental disability groups protest Tropic Thunder"

* An excellent PSA on YouTube from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network.

* USA Today, "Disability groups vs. 'Tropic Thunder'"

* ABC24 in Memphis, "Local Disabled Advocates Join Boycott of Film"

* MTV, "'Tropic Thunder' Director/Star Ben Stiller Says Disability Advocates' Planned Boycott Is Unwarranted"

* Access Hollywood, "Disability Advocates Call For ‘Tropic Thunder’ Protest, Stiller Responds"

The ARC will have a National press conference about the film on August 13 from 10- 11 a.m. EST at 529 14th Street, NW Washington, DC. Here's a list from The ARC, which was one of the disability organizations protesting the use of the R-word in the film:

* Mental disability groups protest 'Tropic Thunder', www.sfgate.com - August 12, 2008

* Disability groups protest at 'Tropic Thunder' premier, www.metro.co.uk - August 12, 2008

* Wikipedia reference - Portrayal of intellectual disabilities controversy, www.wikipedia.com - August 11, 2008

* Disabled Jokes Bring Protest to 'Thunder', www.popeater.com - August 11, 2008

* What 'Tropic Thunder' Thinks Is Funny, www.washingtonpost.com - August 11, 2008

* Advocates for disabled to protest "Tropic Thunder", www.reuters.com - August 11, 2008

* Nationwide 'Thunder' Boycott In The Works, www.nytimes.com - August 10, 2008

* Word in Stiller film sparks outcry, www.venturacountystar.com - August 9, 2008