Aurora shooting: Jordan Ghawi, brother of victim, says boycott of Cinemark is 'ridiculous'

Aurora shooting: Jordan Ghawi, brother of victim, says boycott of Cinemark is "ridiculous"

By Sam Levin Thu., Jan. 3 2013 at 10:19 AM

Jordan Ghawi

Yesterday, families of those who died in the Aurora theater shooting blasted Cinemark, owner of the site of the tragedy, for insensitively inviting them to an event timed with the theater's reopening. The mother and stepfather of victim Jessica Ghawi joined others in signing a letter to the theater, expressing their outrage and calling for a boycott. But Jordan Ghawi, Jessica's brother, did not. And today he explained why he disagrees with those criticizing Cinemark.

As we reported yesterday, Cinemark, which owns the Century 16 theater in Aurora where twelve were killed and dozens more injured in a mass shooting on July 20, sent a note to victims' families two days after Christmas, saying they could reserve tickets to a "remembrance ceremony" tied to the theater's reopening.

The note was sent via the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, a group that has been criticized by families for a lack of transparency in its process of disbursing donations.

In a very strongly worded response, fifteen family members of victims said it was a "ridiculously offensive invitation" and that they would be doing everything possible to encourage people to boycott the "killing field."

Jordan Ghawi, who was active on social media in the aftermath of the shooting, took to Twitter today to offer his take on Cinemark, first saying that he, too, did not appreciate the letter:

In regards to @cinemarkusa and their letter to myself and rest of Aurora families: Yes, their comments were tactless and repulsive.
— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) January 3, 2013

But that tweet was followed by many others disagreeing with the position of his mother and other victims' families.

However, a boycott of @cinemarkusa is ridiculous. Boycotting the structure of my sister's death allows her killer to "win".
— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) January 3, 2013

If my sister & the 11 others were killed in a vehicle collison on a Denver highway, would we boycott the DOT or demand it to be demolished?
— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) January 3, 2013

And referencing concerns in the families' letter that Cinemark -- which is facing lawsuits from some injured victims -- had been unresponsive to families in the past:

Regarding the response letter from the families. Why would @cinemarkusa reply to previous correspondence when some of you are suing them?
— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) January 3, 2013

And he continued urging against a boycott:

Don't boycott the theatre. Go there, remember what happened there, and let it serve as a reminder that "every second of everyday is a gift".
— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) January 3, 2013

Continue for more of Jordan Ghawi's comments and response from Jessica's mother and stepfather.

Tags:

Aurora shooting, Century 16, Cinemark, COVA, Jessica Ghawi, Jordan Ghawi, Sandy Redfield

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Juan_Leg topcommenter

The theater should be limited to showing ONLY religious productions .

Religion has NOTHING to do w/ violence & promotes 'peace' among ALL men !.....

Chad Greenlees

I just think it is poor taste on the Corporate Monster that is Cinamark. If you read the letter, it reads just like any other publicity pump. They put up some new paint, and marque at the site of the worst mass murder scene in colorado history, and they want you to have a good time sitting in a graveyard of pain, loss, and suffering eating popcorn? Just makes me sick! I fully support the boycott.

Evelyn Maria

I am sure they will find the theater faulty of not providing proper security as the rise in crime in Aurora is public record especially late at night.

Shannon Petty

To be decided by each individual

John Ashley

misdirected.

Shayne Morgan

attention seeking

Duder Van Lee

Theaters don't have pause buttons.

Stephen At Half Aspen

Veronica hit the nail on the head.

Veronica Crowell

The owners of the theater are also victims of this tragedy. Certainly not to the degree of people who were actually shot but they are entitled to open their business and run it and make a living from it. If I was shot there I probably wouldn't go back there or any other theater for that matter. But there is no legitimate reason to boycott the business.

Shalae Smiley Spencer

Let's live life and celebrate the lives of those people.

Shalae Smiley Spencer

Not nesscary

Jeff Jxn Swaim

Boycotting them would be ridiculous. They are as much "victims" of this idiots crime as anyone. They are creating jobs and providing entertainment to the community. #stophatin'

Derrick W. Mickelson

STUPID

Tony Henriksen

Dumb. I for one plan on going to that movies as soon as it opens

J Patrick McDuff

The theater is a legitimate business; not the cause of the insane killer on a rampage.

Art O'Fishel

*Knight

Art O'Fishel

I would see a midnight showing of Dark Night Rises there just for the thrill, but with sentiment for the victims.

Megan Ingebrigtsen

ridiculous

Tanya McAvoy

Necessary. This isnt about the theater culpability but about the fact that they sent invites to the victims families. Hey, sorry you lost your loved one, come see a free movie on us in the place your son, daughter, etc was murdered. Absurd and so utterly lacking in empathy its mindboggling as to why they would do this.

Jessica Watts

I signed that letter to Cinamark proudly that was sent from the 12 victims families. A permanent boycott not just for Aurora but all Cinamark theaters. They have treated us victims like dirt. No apology or condolences from them....no support from them. They should be ashamed.