The University of Michigan’s controversy over plans to pull “American Sniper” never had one of the most high-profile men on campus: head football coach Jim Harbaugh.
“Michigan Football will watch ’American Sniper’! Proud of Chris Kyle & Proud to be an American & if that offends anybody then so be it!” the coach tweeted out late Wednesday night.
Before the clock struck midnight, University Vice President for Student Life E. Royster Harper then released her own statement, saying that the film would be shown at its original time and location.
“It was a mistake to cancel the showing of the movie ’American Sniper’ on campus as part of a social event for students. The initial decision to cancel the movie was not consistent with the high value the University of Michigan places on freedom of expression and our respect for the right of students to make their own choices in such matters,” Ms. Harper said, The Michigan Daily reported Wednesday.
Plans to show the popular movie on the life of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle to students were originally scrapped when some students complained that it perpetuated negative Muslim stereotypes. The university wanted to show the film “Paddington,” instead.
University officials backtracked during the day to say that “American Sniper” would be shown in a different forum, before Ms. Royster announced the full reversal late Wednesday.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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