Sarandon Disturbed By Event Cancellation

AP ^ | 02-28-03

[veronica]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Actress Susan Sarandon said she was disturbed by a charity's decision to cancel her appearance at a fund-raising event because of complaints about her anti-war views.

The United Way of Tampa Bay was to feature the 56-year-old actress as keynote speaker at an April 11 women's leadership event designed to inspire volunteerism in the community.

But organizers this week scrapped the $75-a-plate event after the charity got three dozen complaints about Sarandon's selection.

Robin Carson, chairwoman of the board of directors, said the event had the potential to become "divisive."

"The focus of our whole meeting had shifted to whether or not we were creating a political platform for Susan Sarandon," Carson said.

In a statement Friday, Sarandon said that "considering the depletion of federal funds for community programs and the faltering economy, it is disturbing to me that the United Way is letting partisanship determine its support base.

"Once again, the shortsightedness of the powerful will end up hurting those in need."

Others disagreed with the decision, too.

Marty Petty, executive vice president of Times Publishing Co., which publishes the St. Petersburg Times, resigned as a member of the United Way board of directors and chair of the 2003 campaign.

"This decision is grounded in my lifelong personal and professional belief that our civic life is made stronger by the expression of all views, including ones that are controversial," Petty wrote in a letter to Carson.

Sarandon's brother, Terry Tomalin, outdoors writer at the St. Petersburg Times, had asked Sarandon to participate six months ago.

Sarandon, who introduced the obituary segment of Sunday's Academy Awards (news - web sites) show, flashed a peace symbol with her fingers while walking on stage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

She won a best-actress Oscar for 1995's "Dead Man Walking."

[Apollo]

"Once again, the shortsightedness of the powerful will end up hurting those in need."

Now that she's out, I have a question. Where do I send the check?

[bart99]

Not only am I deeply saddened as well, but I am also dismayed by her lack of effective diplomacy to court the votes necessary to alllow her to speak. Only a unanimous decision should be acceptable..... but maybe a honeowner has a veto power he or she would exersize. She should go there and speak at a mall if she feels so strongly about it.

She and Daschle..... geez. *L*

[Nachum]

Wow, you think that the "Rocky Horror" crowd might show up for a peace-protest in costume? Might be good for a laugh...

[sheik yerbouty]

Sarandon is disturbed.

[LibKill]

Dear Ms. Sarandon:

Boo-(censored)-hoo!

Cry your eyes out!

[oyez]

Sarandon is a disturbing person. The 1st ammendment also protects the right of a person to make a fool herself.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

56-year-old actress

Why do I secretly giggle everytime they mention her age?

[evolved_rage]

Actress Susan Saran-wrap

Liars!!!
Anybody see Saran-wrap in "Children of Dune" on the SciFi channel? She's no actress!

[small voice in the wilderness]

Troubling, deeply troubling.

susan sarandon's expiration date has come. And gone. Someone put her out with the rest of the trash. She's really beginning to smell.

[Slyfox]

My career, my career!!!

[caisson71]

Sarandon is not as disturbed as she might be worried. She has something to say and nobody wants to hear it. How American! I would advise her to conserve her cash as the flow will be greatly reduced in the near future.

[Izzy Dunne]

the United Way is letting partisanship determine its support base.

Funny how it's "partisanship" when the OTHER PEOPLE do it...

[Alberta's Child]

The United Way didn't cancel Susan Sarandon's appearance -- they just told her she couldn't show up unless she wore a bag on her head.

[Xenalyte]

Best work this woman ever did was in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[BrooklynGOP]

"Once again, the shortsightedness of the powerful will end up hurting those in need."

Yea, like she cares for those in need. Her speaker's fee is $25,000.

[Pagey]

She won a best-actress Oscar for 1995's "Dead Man Walking."

For the uninitiated, that means she was given a trophy for pretending.

[Queen Jadis]

because she secretly cries...

[Nachum]

Let's do the time warp, again!!

[demosthenes the elder]

in other words: "Waaaah! My words aren't supposed to generate negative consequences for ME! WAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
silly bint.

[Nachum]

She does a jump to the left!!!