Royal Oak, Michigan- Emagine planned to host a film festival on June 19, also the Juneteenth holiday celebrating the end of slavery, in support of recent protests over police racism and brutality, the lawsuit says.
Theater owners said they took extensive steps to ensure a safe event with social distancing, “physically removed seats,” and sent a 26-page safety plan to Whitmer’s office explaining the precautions in place.
“On the eve of the protest, (the Attorney General’s Office) served Emagine’s owner, Paul Glantz, with a warning letter, informing him that it would file criminal charges if Emagine proceeded with the Juneteenth film festival interest of public health,” according to the lawsuit.