The
new movie Stomp The Yard has been banned from a chain of movie theaters
in Springfield, Illinois, for fear it could trigger the same gang violence that
erupted during another movie showing last month.Tony
Kerasotes, CEO of the 40-plus Kerasotes theater chain, told officials he feared
a repeat of a fight and shooting that occurred during a Christmas Day screening
of Black Christmas at Parkway Pointe Theater in Springfield."I
was fearful (Stomp the Yard) could become the occasion for more gang violence,
because I felt certain it would draw that audience," Kerasotes told the Associated
Press.Police
said two groups of youths began fighting inside the theater and at least two fired
shots in the theater’s lobby. One
teen was shot during the fight, which police said stemmed from a long-standing
feud between two local gangs. Kerasotes added that he made the decision, in part,
because "virtually all" of the people involved with the shooting are
still at large.Stomp
the Yard
, stars Megan Good, Columbus Short, and R&B crooners Ne-Yo andChris Brown and depicts the fraternity scene as it pertains to stepping at a historically
black college in Atlanta. The
film will be shown in more than 2,000 locations nationwide starting today (Jan.
12). The
movie also recently came under scrutiny from Greek organizations who were concerned
about the authenticity of the movie, depicting the importance of stepping rather
than the traditions held by the fraternities and sororities.In
celebration of the film’s release, Sony Pictures announced that 2.5% of the proceeds
from its opening weekend numbers would be donated to the Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial in Washington, DC. Stomp
The Yard features music from the likes of Bonecrusher, E-40, The Pack, UNK,
Field Mob, Public Enemy, Trick Daddy, Lil Jon, Trina, the Roots as well as Chris
Brown and Ne-Yo.
