“It’s a place we will go to see not simply high quality artwork, however to current the complexities of life and permit us to be extra reflective and to develop,” stated Ruth Mayer, a Miami Seaside resident, who got here to the assembly along with her Israeli-born husband, Akiva Gross. “It doesn’t imply it’s a must to stroll out and agree, however hopefully we will stroll out and be reflective.”
Mr. Gross stated the movie “must be proven — that is democracy.”
Two mayors of neighboring cities — Esteban L. Bovo Jr., of Hialeah, and Francis Suarez, of Miami — known as into the assembly to precise help for Mr. Meiner. And Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, the consul basic of Israel in Miami, informed the group that whereas he was “completely in opposition to censorship of artwork,” he believed that “it doesn’t take away the accountability that these establishments have to indicate the total image.”
“When it’s being proven on taxpayer-subsidized authorities venues with public funds, that’s not free speech, it’s authorities coverage,” stated Commissioner David Suarez. He added, “play the movie wherever you need, on personal property, in entrance of Metropolis Corridor, on the road nook, however don’t ask the taxpayers of Miami Seaside to foot the invoice for odious propaganda movies.”
Supporters of the theater additionally famous that its programming mirrored the demographics of Miami Seaside, which has a major variety of Jewish residents, lots of whom have robust ties to Israel. The theater has a longstanding partnership with the Miami Jewish Movie Pageant and exhibits common movies in regards to the Holocaust, they stated.
Mr. Meiner, who took workplace a month after the Oct. 7 assault, has repeatedly taken hard-line stances in protection of Israel. Amongst different issues, he pushed by way of new restrictions on protests after a number of pro-Palestinian rallies passed off in Miami Seaside.
About The Author
