Politics & Government

MoveOn.org Members Opposed to Tea Party Film Screening

Redlands members of the national organization have asked state assemblyman Mike Morrell to cancel his appearance at the Redlands Tea Party Patriots meeting tonight after learning the event includes a screening a film that links liberal views to socialism

Members of the Redlands Council of MoveOn.org have asked a state assemblyman to cancel his appearance at the Redlands Tea Party Patriots general meeting tonight after learning the conservative group plans to screen a film that links liberal views to the rise and possible spread of socialism and communism.

A YouTube trailer for the film shows interviews with a number of people intermingled with several images of war-torn Europe. And it discusses what it called the agenda of some liberals to destroy the fabric of America.

Assemblyman Mike Morrell (R-District 63) is scheduled to appear at the 7 p.m. meeting.

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“Assemblyman Morrell was invited by the Redlands Tea Party to give a legislative update about what is going on in Sacramento this evening and, because they are his constituents, he was more than happy to do so,” said John Van Winkle, a field representative for Assemblyman Morrell, in an email. “The Assemblyman makes it a priority to discuss what is going on in Sacramento with those he represents.

“To reiterate, his motivation for attending is purely to update his constituents on the legislation he is currently working on and what is going on up in Sacramento.”

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Based on an email she received from the assemblyman, Zoe Lane, Council Coordinator for MoveOn-Redlands, said it appeared Morrell had not seen the film. Members have contacted the assemblyman on their own, but no official request was made by the local council.

She was concerned that by attending, people might believe he was supporting the film’s message.

“We’re very curious to know what he might say or think about it,” Lane said. “Maybe he agrees, maybe he doesn’t. I don’t know”

A late morning call to a Redlands Tea Party representative had not been returned as of noon.

Lane was trying to reserve judgment, but said the trailer alone is inaccurate and portrays those with more liberal views as “useful idiots,” she said.

"I am still shaking and almost crying,” said author Anke Otto-Wolf. Her family lived in Germany and were deeply affected by the war and the Berlin Wall, she said.

“How dare they use images of Hitler's Jewish book burnings, and the beginnings of the barbed-wired wall, where not only families but buildings, farms, and community streets were forcefully divided but also the German psyche,” she said. “The scars are still visible 50 years later."

The Tea Party holds its meetings at Mill Creek Cattle Co., 1874 Mentone Blvd, Mentone.


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