Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep Join Bully Campaign

The list of celebrities backing the campaign to reduce the R rating on the anti-bullying documentary Bully to a PG-13 continues to expand on a daily basis. The latest big names to lend their support include Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, and Justin Bieber, all of whom have spoken out in support of Michigan high school student Katy Butler’s petition campaign on Change.org.
 

Butler’s petition urges the MPAA to reconsider its decision so that Bully can be screened in middle schools and high schools, ensuring that the film’s anti-bullying message will reach its target audience. Butler’s online petition has more than 299,000 supporters, including New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, Ellen DeGeneres, Demi Lovato, Kelly Ripa, Tommy Hilfiger, and 26 Members of Congress. Even Gerry Lopez, CEO of AMC Theaters, issued a statement in support of reducing the rating to one less restrictive.
 
“We’ve got the MPAA’s attention, and with nearly 300,000 signatures and support from celebrities and politicians, there’s now a national movement of people calling on the MPAA to drop the ‘R’ rating for Bully,” Butler said. “As someone who lived through bullying day in and day out in school, including having my finger broken by bullies, this film is too important to silence with an ‘R’ rating. Everyone should have a chance to see Bully.”
 
Source: Change.org – March 14, 2012