Watan-Stephen Minor, the Mayor of Miami Beach, Florida, is seeking to evict a local theater from its city-owned property for screening the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land”, which depicts the forced displacement of Palestinians by Israelis in the occupied West Bank.
Minor also aims to block future funding for the nonprofit theater O Cinema in South Beach.
According to a document released on Thursday, city commissioners are expected to vote on a legislation proposed by Minor next week.
Minor described the film as “one-sided propaganda” and an “attack on Jews”, while the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida and other civil rights advocates condemned his actions as a violation of free speech.
Oscar-Winning Film Sparks Free Speech Debate in Miami Beach
The film’s co-directors, Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, denied accusations of antisemitism.
Kareem Tabsch, co-founder of O Cinema, told Axios that the nonprofit theater hopes to engage in meaningful dialogue with the mayor and elected officials before the vote.
He also stated that the theater is committed to preserving its right to free expression and maintaining its presence in South Beach, even if forced to relocate.
Reuters has not yet been able to reach Tabsch for comment.
Despite winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature earlier this month, major U.S. distributors have not picked up the film.
The documentary showcases Israeli soldiers demolishing Palestinian homes, forcibly expelling residents to establish a military training zone, and Jewish settlers attacking Palestinian civilians.
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