Tell Congress To Save Your Cinema: Coolidge Corner Theatre

BROOKLINE, MA — Cinemas across Massachusetts are scrambling to figure out ways to keep the curtain up amid pandemic, including in Brookline, where the nonprofit is organizing virtual screenings and events and in West Newton where the local cinema is attempting to resume in-person screening at a fraction of capacity.

But the people behind the theaters worry about the long term.

The National Association of Theater Owners, which represents more than 35,000 movie screens across the country, has organized a campaign to urge Congress to keep movie theaters like the Coolidge alive until they can fully reopen. The staff at the Coolidge Corner Theatre are asking movie-lovers to consider joining in the ask.

The association's campaign "Save Your Cinemas" helps direct people to write to their senator and representatives to support the RESTART Act (S. 3814/H.R. 7481), which would give movie theaters access to partially forgivable seven-year loans covering six months of expenses, calling it "a lifeline for theaters that have been left behind by existing loan programs."

The campaign is also asking that legislators press Treasury and the Federal Reserve to implement more relief programs under the CARES Act that help businesses of all sizes.

From small independent screens to national chains, movie theaters employ more than 150,000 people and have formed a cornerstone of the American experience for generations, according to the association.

"Without swift action from Congress our favorite theaters could close forever, depriving audiences of the magic of movies for years to come," the Coolidge Corner said in an email to supporters.

And seeing movie theaters like the Coolidge fail would be devastating to the Town and the arts.

"Movie theaters are integral to the social, cultural, and economic life of our communities. In addition to being community gathering places, theaters employ so many vulnerable individuals underrepresented in the workforce, including young people and people with disabilities. We cannot afford to lose our precious cinemas," reads the template email from the campain website.

To learn more about the campaign go to the campaign website.

If you're interested in making a donation to the Coolidge go here.

Read more:

• Coolidge Corner Theatre Still Closed Amid ...
• West Newton Cinema Opens For First Time In 4 Months - Patch

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