SANYS calls for a boycott of the movie "Tropic Thunder".

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State is joining with a national coalition of groups of people with disabilities calling for a national boycott of the film "Tropic Thunder" because of the movie's open ridicule of people with developmental disabilities by its frequent use of the word "retard."

SANYS is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities through a statewide board, and regional and local groups. The purpose of our organization is to help people with developmental disabilities speak-up for themselves and others. We encourage people to speak up for themselves individually and collectively.

SANYS has organized local self-advocates, family members, staff, supporters and other interested parties and invited them to gather on Wednesday August 13, 2008 between 10 am and 12 noon outside of the Colonie Center Mall on the sidewalk in front of the Regal Cinema which will begin showing this film that day. This gathering will join other groups throughout the nation asking filmgoers to boycott this DreamWorks production and to protest its degrading stereotypes of individuals with developmental disabilities.

National groups such as ARC USA, AAPD, Special Olympics, Autism Self-Advocacy and the national self-advocacy organization, Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) characterize the use of the word "retard" as hate speech that heaps insult and possible harm on a group that has been stigmatized by this word and others for many years. It is comparable to social ethnic and sexual epithets and stereotypes.

For more information contact Steve Holmes, Administrative Director and David Liscomb President of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State t at [phone].

SANYS main office is located at: 500 Balltown Rd, Building 5 Schenectady, New York

Telephone: [phone] Web site: sanys.org

David Liscomb, President Steve Holmes, Administrative Director

LTE By SHAMEKA ANDREWS (SANYS)