Local Oscar parties and protests

News 10 NY, February 23, 2009

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood came out in Rochester Sunday night. The red carpet was rolled out at the George Eastman House on East Avenue. It was all to celebrate the 81st Academy Awards at the home of the father of motion picture film.

The night was filled with hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing, as guests watched the Oscars on the big screen inside the Dryden Theatre. But while people partied inside, outside was a different story.

A handful of people protested the Oscar party at the Eastman house. They’re upset with the Oscar’s humanitarian award going to Jerry Lewis. Organizers say Lewis has been delivering a message of pity for decades, calling people with disabilities half a person. They say that’s de-humanizing and believe Lewis has no business getting a humanitarian award.

“No more pity. We are tired of the pity approach,” said Diane Coleman of the Center for Disability Rights. “We are part of the wonderful diversity of this country and we want to be part of things like everybody else.”

Protests were held across the country as well. The Motion Picture Academy chose Lewis for the humanitarian award for the money he’s raised through the M.D.A. telethons.