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In “Florida mayor threatens to evict indie movie theater in court 3 weeks after publicly criticizing it as spot for youth homelessness,” journalist Patrick McGreevy discusses how a Florida mayor has threatened to evict an indie movie theater after publicly criticizing it as a hub for youth homelessness.
O Cinema, a theater and cultural center in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, has attracted local and national controversy. The non-profit organization has been blamed for criminal activity and loitering, while other critics accuse politicians of demonizing the theater instead of solving the actual problem of homelessness in the area.
Mayor Tomás Regalado filed a lawsuit against O Cinema for breach of contract after the theater extended the lease term for premises it rented, saying that the agreement had expired. Regalado’s office denied any motive behind the lawsuit and instead pointed to issues with asbestos on the premises and overcrowding.
O Cinema’s lawyer, Jim Thomas, hit back via a statement, accusing Regalado of political retaliation. He cited statements made by Regalado on local TV where he called O Cinema’s owners “terrorists” and accused them of drawing youth into the area. These accusations have led some to believe that Regalado is pushing the theater out to make way for a luxury development project that reportedly violates zoning laws.
Cultural organizations, including the Art Basel fair and the influential art collective Primary Flight, have voiced support for O Cinema in the face of its eviction. Nearly 100 had signed an open letter that called for dialogue instead of a lawsuit.
Despite the outpouring of support, Regalado has stood by his decision to evict. “On Nov. 21, I saw an article on the front page of El Nuevo Herald — an article that I’m not going to read that says that 80% of the homeless in Wynwood are at O Cinema,” Regalado told NBCNews.com.
Regalado’s suit has been seen as an attempt to expedite the removal of O Cinema so that developers can get on with constructing their own housing for homeless people. However, in the words of O Cinema’s Executive Director, Kareem Tabsch, “Here’s a neat takeaway for you: the only way to deal with youth homelessness is to donate money to a developer lobbying to build luxury apartment buildings.”
The eviction case is currently in the courts, and O Cinema is hoping to find alternatives in the Wynwood area that will allow them to continue operating. Regalado has also said that he intends to help the theater find a new home, despite the lawsuit.
The situation is far from settled, however, as both parties continue to raise questions over the true motives behind the mayor’s actions. Many feel that the mayor is prioritizing private interests over public welfare, and that are other solutions to homelessness that don’t involve evicting a beloved cultural center.
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