Change.org announced on Monday that there is a petition that has been signed by 20 members of Congress asking that thet MMPA lowers to the rating to accommodate a wider range of ages able to view the film. Mike Honda (D-CA), wrote a letter that went along with their press announcement. "We are writing to express our sincere disappointment in the MPAA's decision to issue an ‘R' rating for the soon-to-be-released documentary Bully.This important project shows the real life anguish of many teenagers in this country who are tormented, harassed, and bullied by their peers. This truth should be shared with as wide an audience as is appropriate and possible. We believe an R-rating excludes the very audience for whom this film is desperately important."
This petition was started by a high schooler named Katy Butler. She has received over 275,000 signatures, and even has support from Harvey Weinstein, who has threatened to pull out of the ratings board because of this issue.
The film will, however, be shown by Harvey Weinstein and MPAA jointly at a screening in Washington, DC this week. The screening will be for area educators and principals.
