HAZLETON, PA. (AP) - The city council vote was unanimous to oppose a film they
and many local residents say blasphemes Jesus Christ.
But the mother and sister of an actress in Martin Scorcese's "The Last
Temptation of Christ" charged that the five councilmen violated constitutional
rights with their Monday night vote.
"It's beyond belief," said Jean Coll Gormley of Hazleton, whose daughter,
Petty, plays Martha in the film.
"My point is this city council has no right to bring up a movie which has not
even been released, and censor it," said Gormley, adding "nobody can take my
Constitutional rights away from me."
Ann Christopher, sister of the actress, charged that the councilmen, all Roman
Catholics, "are using Jesus Christ himself in a pathetic effort to win votes."
Council president John Ford said the resolution doesn't bar anyone from seeing
it. He said the council was exercising its freedom-of-expression rights, too.
There are no movie houses within city limits.
