As The Birth Of A Nation gears up to hit theaters tonight (Oct 6), the activist group, F*ck Rape Culture will hold a candlelit vigil for victims of sexual assault at a Hollywood movie theater. The protest comes in response to the film’s director Nate Parker, and his 1999 rape case details according to Variety.
“FRC recognizes the need to hold space for those celebrating the advancement of people of color in Hollywood while continuing to fight for the victims of sexual assault and rape around the world,” read the organization’s statement.
Parker has joined several morning shows like “Good Morning America,” “The Steve Harvey Show” and “60 Minutes” looking to clear his name leading up to the film’s release. The general sentiment is that he has not shown enough remorse after being acquitted in the 1999 rape case as a student athlete at Pennsylvania State University.
“Seventeen years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life,” The director-star told Variety. “It resulted in it being litigated. I was cleared of it. That’s that. Seventeen years later, I’m a filmmaker. I have a family. I have five beautiful daughters. I have a lovely wife. I get it. The reality is I can’t relive 17 years ago. All I can do is be the best man I can be now.”
F*ck Rape Culture was active in protesting the ruling in the Brock Turner (Stanford swimmer) sexual assault case. The group’s organizers invited all women who were victim’s of sexual assault to the silent vigil at the Hollywood’s Arclight Theaters for 7 P.M.
The Birth Of A Nation hits theaters nationwide tonight (Oct 6). Watch the trailer for the film below.