5.05.2004

MoveOn Steps Up for Michael Moore

From a MoveOn mail just received:

    Oscar-winning director Michael Moore has finished his latest documentary, but The Walt Disney Company is refusing to let the American public see it.

    The film, "Fahrenheit 911," is critical of President Bush's actions before and after Sept. 11 and describes Bush's relationships with powerful Saudi families, including that of Osama bin Laden.

    According to the New York Times, Moore's agent says embattled Disney chief Michael Eisner feared the documentary could endanger the company's tax breaks in Florida, where Bush's brother, Jeb, is governor.

    We can't let corporate favors for politicians dictate what movies we see. Tell Disney to show us Michael Moore's documentary:

    Robert Iger
    Chief Operating Officer
    The Walt Disney Company
    Phone: (818) 560-1000

    If the line is busy, call a Disney store near you. The salespeople aren't responsible for this decision, but ask them to pass your concerns on to the manager. To find the Disney store nearest you, click here.

    Finally, if you own any Disney stock, call:

    Wendy Webb, Investor Relations
    The Walt Disney Company
    Phone: (818) 560-5758

    The documentary, which heads to the prestigious Cannes film festival next week, was expected to be distributed by Miramax this summer. But Disney, which owns Miramax, blocked the plan. Denying allegations of political favoritism, Disney said it doesn't want to be involved with a partisan film.

    Moore responded, "If this is partisan in any way it is partisan on the side of the poor and working people in this country who provide fodder for this war machine."

    The film details financial connections between the Bush family and powerful Saudi Arabian families over the last thirty years, including the evacuation of Osama bin Laden's relatives from the United States two days after Sept. 11. Also included are American soldiers in Iraq describing their doubts about the justification for war.

    Michael Moore has commented, "At some point the question has to be asked, 'Should this be happening in a free and open society where the monied interests essentially call the shots regarding the information that the public is allowed to see?' "

    Today, we will tell Disney the answer is no:

    Robert Iger
    Chief Operating Officer
    The Walt Disney Company
    Phone: (818) 560-1000

    Let us know you're calling, [here].

    Sincerely,
    --Noah T. Winer
    MoveOn.org
    May 5th, 2004