Group says ‘American Sniper’ film spurs threats against Muslims

An Arab-American civil rights organization has asked “American Sniper” director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper to denounce hateful language directed at U.S. Arabs and Muslims after the release of the Hollywood duo’s film about a Navy marksman. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) said in a letter to Eastwood and Cooper that its members had become targets of “violent threats” since last week, days before “American Sniper” went into general release. The film is nominated for six Oscars, including best picture.

Hate and bigotry have no place in the important dialogue that this picture has generated about the veteran experience.

Jack Horner, a spokesman for Warner Bros.

The Washington-based ADC asked Arabs and Muslims to send them copies of threatening messages they had received. More than 100 have been collected, all from social media. The ADC said it was working with the FBI and police to assess the threats. The film tells the story of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper. His 160 kills in Iraq is considered the highest count in U.S. military history. Some critics have said the film glorifies war and sanitises Kyle, who called Muslims “savages” in his memoir. Kyle was killed by a disgruntled U.S. veteran at a Texas gun range in 2013.

If we boycott it, it will only cause people to want to see it more.

ADC President Samer Khalaf

Entertainment American Sniper