| CHICAGO SUN - TIMES
Sopranos' drama hits courtroom August 30, 2001
Italian-American attorneys for and against HBO's "The Sopranos" argued in a Chicago courtroom Wednesday about whether the series is "art" or "stereotyping. ""It's wall-to-wall stereotyping of Italian Americans in dysfunctional families who rob, murder," said Enrico J. Mirabelli, a Chicago divorce attorney who brought the suit against HBO on behalf of the American-Italian Defense Association. "I find it provocative, hard-hitting,'' said Thomas Yannucci, a Washington,
D.C., attorney hired by HBO to defend it, and who, by sheer coincidence,
he says, just happens to be Italian-American and a self-proclaimed "big
fan" of the show.AIDA has invoked an obscure and untested portion of the
Illinois Constitution that states "To promote individual dignity, communications
that portray criminality, depravity or lack of virtue in . . . a person
or group of persons by reason of or by reference to religious, racial,
ethnic, national or religious affiliation are
"They want Cook County Circuit Judge Richard Siebel to condemn "The
Sopranos" for portraying Italian Americans as criminals.That's ridiculous,
Yannucci said, noting that "several Italian Americans are involved in the
"Siebel said he did not care about the opinions of Italian-American "Sopranos" staffers because "They're being paid." Yannucci warned Siebel that if he let the suit go forward, special interest groups from all over the country would descend on his courtroom. "What's next, 'The Dukes of Hazzard?' 'Gone With the Wind?' 'Catcher in the Rye?' Anyone can come in here and do this,'' Yannucci said. "[The law] doesn't mean you can haul a TV show into a courtroom and make them a defendant . . . because people don't like the content of our program."And while AIDA has made it clear it wants no money and no injunction stopping production on the show, even the seemingly innocuous "declaratory judgment" they seek could be used by another group to seek money and an injunction from HBO, Yannucci said. Michael Polelle, a professor of constitutional law at John Marshall Law School who also argued on AIDA's behalf, dismissed Yannucci's doomsday arguments and said the state constitution clearly gives AIDA a right to come into court and seek this minor declaration."Certainly we cannot accept the notion that Tony Soprano is above the law," Polelle said. "Tony Soprano--it's not that he's above the law--he's a fictional character," Yannucci responded. A declaration condemning the show would have a "chilling effect" on artistic expression, he said. Polelle said Yannucci offered no evidence the declaration would have a "chilling effect" that would interfere with production of the show. "You need a constitutional cold or at least the sniffles," Polelle said. "You need more than a chill."Many of the arguments Wednesday centered on whether AIDA had staning to bring the suit and the intent of the drafters of the state's 1970 constitution. Yannucci produced documents in which some drafters said they did not want the clause to be used as a vehicle for lawsuits. Mirabelli said the language of the clause and the explanation the state's voters had in their hands when they approved the constitution make clear that lawsuits could be brought. Siebel said he will issue his decision Sept. 13. American Italian Defense Association
MEDIA ALERT - April 4, 2001 ITALIAN AMERICANS TO FILE SUIT AGAINST SOPRANOS AIDA (the "American Italian Defense Association") announced today that it will file an action in the Circuit Court of Cook County tomorrow against Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P., alleging that the showing of the cable series known as the "Sopranos" in Illinois by its HBO unit, violates the Individual Dignity Clause of the Illinois Constitution which provides: Individual Dignity. To promote individual dignity, communications that portray criminality, depravity or lack of virtue in, or that incite violence, hatred, abuse or hostility toward, a person or group of persons by reason of or by reference to religious, racial, ethnic, national or regional affiliation are condemned. This is believed to be a first of its kind lawsuit in America under a unique provision of the Illinois Constitution. AIDA, a not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code is headquartered in Chicago and was organized to educate the public on the contributions to American society by Italian Americans and to oppose by lawful means all forms of negative stereotyping and defamation of Italian Americans. AIDA will hold a media conference at The Union League Club, 65 West Jackson Blvd., Room 800, Chicago, Illinois at 10:30 a.m. promptly on Thursday, April 5, 2001 for purposes of providing further information regarding this lawsuit. The lawsuit will be filed by Enrico J. Mirabelli, Esq. of the law firm of Nadler, Pritikin & Mirabelli, 130 East Randolph Drive, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60601, 312/861-4600, e-mail: lexxtalionis@aol.com; and Michael J. Polelle, Esq., 315 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604, 312/987-1440, e-mail: 7polelle@jmls.edu, either of whom may be contacted for more information. AIDA is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status under the IRC
April 5, 2001 AIDA'S STATEMENT REGARDING ITS
LAWSUIT
Today, AIDA (the "American Italian Defense Association") filed suit in the Circuit Court of Cook County for a Declaratory Judgment to vindicate the individual dignity of Italian Americans. The suit is brought against Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. because of its distribution in Illinois of the cable TV series known as the "Sopranos" through its HBO division. AIDA alleges that the Sopranos violates the Individual Dignity clause of the Illinois Constitution which provides: Individual Dignity. To promote individual dignity, communications
that portray criminality, depravity or lack of virtue in, or that incite
violence, hatred, abuse or hostility toward, a person or group of persons
by reason of
AIDA seeks neither damages for Time Warner's actions nor a restraint on the showing of the Sopranos. Accordingly, AIDA makes no attempt to infringe upon Time Warner's right of free speech. However, AIDA seeks a Declaratory Judgment from the Circuit Court that various episodes of the Sopranos alone, or the series when taken as a whole, breaches the Individual Dignity clause with respect to Italian Americans as a group. AIDA is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status
under the Internal Revenue Code. AIDA was organized for the purposes
of educating the public regarding the contributions of Italian Americans
to our society
HBO, the distributor of the Sopranos, is a unit of Time Warner Entertainment
and is the nation's most widely distributed pay television service, which
together with its sister service, Cinemax, has approximately 35.7 million
During the years 1999 and 2000, Time Warner Entertainment, through its HBO division has caused the communication and initial and repeated showings on cable television in Illinois of numerous episodes of the Sopranos and has recently announced that it will cause the communication and initial and repeated showings on cable television in Illinois of a new series of episodes of the Sopranos for the 2001 season which began on March 4, 2001. Agents of AIDA have reviewed numerous episodes of the Sopranos and are of the opinion that one or more of such episodes alone, or the series when taken as a whole, constitute communications that portray criminality, depravity or lack of virtue in or that incite violence, hatred, abuse or hostility toward Italian Americans, by reason of or by reference to the ethnic affiliation of various persons portrayed in those episodes. Contrary to any claim that the Sopranos is merely a fictionalized "Soap
Opera" about a mythical upper class suburban family whose paternal head,
Tony Soprano, happens to be a mafia boss, the Sopranos is in fact a continuing
and ongoing series about the lifestyle of Italian Americans who are portrayed
as criminals, depraved or lacking in virtue or are in a manner that incites
violence, hatred, abuse or hostility towards Italian Americans by reason
of or by reference to their ethnic affiliation. For example, various
episodes, or the series taken as a whole, suggests that criminality is
in the blood or in the genes of Italian Americans and that Italians as
early immigrants to
Under date of February 26, 2001, AIDA wrote a letter to Mr. Gerald Levin, President of Time Warner Entertainment setting forth its opinions regarding the Sopranos and asked Time Warner Entertainment to recognize that past episodes of the Sopranos constitute communications that breached the Individual Dignity Clause with respect to Italian Americans as a group and to voluntarily take steps to assure that future episodes of the Sopranos would not breach that Clause with respect to Italian Americans or any other group of Americans. While the HBO division of Time Warner Entertainment answered AIDA's letter, it was totally unresponsive to AIDA's requests. Studies have shown that damaging the reputation of an ethnic group does
series harm to members of that group in various ways, including loss of
opportunities for education, employment and rejection by society.
This harm
[A person's] job and his educational opportunities and the dignity accorded
him depend as much on the reputation of the racial and religious group
to which he . . . belongs, as on his own merits. This being so, we
are
The Sopranos is a desecration of Italian American traditions: love of family and friends, religion, art and music. By trivializing and associating criminality, violence, incivility, crudeness, vulgarity and dysfunctional family relationships with Italian Americans, the Sopranos harms all Americans and more so Italian Americans whose reputations are being severely damaged by the repeated showings of this program. This is not the legacy we can allow to be left to our children and grandchildren.
Nor can we, in the memory of our mothers, fathers and grandparents, who
made that dangerous and fearful crossing to America to give
AIDA
From: "John Calvelli" <jcalvelli@wcs.org> Thursday April 05 04:52 PM EDT Italian-American Lawyers Snub "Sopranos" Tony Soprano is fightin' for dignity every friggin' Sunday night. And
this is the thanks he gets?
Known as the American Italian Defense Association, the Illinois-based group filed suit Thursday against the pay-cable network, hoping to invoke a little-known "individual dignity" clause in the state's Constitution. "HBO says it's an original series, and that's why we brought an original lawsuit," attorney Enrico Mirabelli told the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cook County Circuit Court complaint is based on Section 20 in the Illinois Constitution, which condemns "communications that portraycriminality, depravity or lack of virtue" in racial, religious or ethnic groups. To hype their cause, Mirabelli's group held a press conference Thursday, condemning The Sopranos (news - Y! TV) because it "suggests that criminality is in the blood or in the genes of Italian Americans, and that Italians as early immigrants to this country had little opportunity other than to turn to crime." HBO responded to the matter in a statement Thursday, saying, well, fuhgeddaboutit.
"We are very proud of The Sopranos," the network said. "We're hardly alone
in our assessment that the show is an extraordinary
This isn't the first time the fictional Mob family has faced criticism from Italian-American groups. Last October, cast members had their invitations to appear in New York City's Columbus Day parade revoked, following protests from Italian-American groups. Meanwhile, recent episodes of The Sopranos have addressed the dicey
debate over mob stereotypes in the Italian-American community. One
involved the husband of Lorraine Bracco's character voicing his
But despite the controversy, The Sopranos continues to draw critical raves and near-fanatical viewer interest. Last month, David Chase's award-winning series pulled in 11.3 million viewers for the premiere of its third season, becoming the most-watched program in HBO history. The lawsuit itself is largely symbolic--the lawyers aren't asking for
any damages, nor are they asking that The Sopranos be pulled from the network.
(Not too likely anyway.) But they are asking a jury simply to
"We're looking for vindication of our reputation," said group chairman Theodore Grippo. "We realize we can't stop the free-speech rights of Time Warner...We want a moral victory here, we want to balance things." The group also reportedly hinted that it might plan a boycott of the series and its advertisers (presuming, of course, that HBO ever gets advertisers). "I personally would love to see them do away with the show," Grippo added. "I think it's bad for America. We're having children shooting each other in schools and we have a program that is deifying and romanticizing the shooting of people in the head." Meanwhile, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that a pollster for New York
gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo currently is asking New Yorkers
how they feel about the Italian-American portrayals in The Sopranos.
From: Richard Annotico A few excerpts, to preface the Article: (1)In one corner is a small but vocal group of Italian-Americans who are sick of having occasional positive images of their people overshadowed by a nonstop parade of leather-jacketed thieves and killers. (2)But it might not be wise to bet against this Chicago-based group, for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the provision has been on the books for 31 years. It hasn't been tested since 1977, when a black customer in a Peoria, Ill., department store sued for damages because a store employee wrote a slur on a merchandise return slip implying the man was arrogant because he was black. But while the appellate court found that the plaintiff couldn't collect damages, it did rule that the store had violated the Individual Dignity provision. It's tenuous, but it's a precedent. (3)"I believe there are a number of things entertainment companies will
not do, for whatever reason, to other ethnic groups, but they will do them
to Italian-Americans because not enough of us get irate," he says. "Little
by
NEXT ON THE 'SOPRANOS': FREE
SPEECH GOES TO COURT
For the past two years, "The Sopranos" and Italian-American anti-defamation activists have fired shots across each other's bows. Protests by activists after Season 1 were met with dismissive public comments from various people associated with the series. After the second season, activists tried (with some success) to disrupt the show's location shoots in New Jersey. The show's writers responded with a stinging Season 3 episode that depicted an Italian-American activist as a pampered suburban ninny who could be fighting real evil but would rather fret over television. Now we're entering a brutal new phase in the conflict: a ground war fought in court. Yesterday in Chicago, the American Italian Defense Association filed
a lawsuit charging that "The Sopranos," HBO and the cable channel's parent
company, AOL-Time Warner, are violating a provision of the Illinois state
The provision, passed when the state Constitution was revised in 1970,
specifically condemns "communications" that portray certain ethnic, religious
or other groups as depraved, criminal or lacking in virtue, or which might
In drama class, this is what's known as "raising the stakes." The AIDA says it only wants HBO and AOL-Time Warner to be found in violation of the state Constitution. The group insists it isn't looking for damages, and it doesn't want the show taken off the air. And according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Star-Ledger, "the AIDA makes no attempt to infringe upon the defendant's right to free speech." But the last part is exactly what could happen if the suit has even limited success. True, the constitutional provision could eventually be struck down on appeal for being vague or unfair. But that outcome could take years. In the meantime, the action could inspire other members of offended
groups to file similar lawsuits in Illinois on vastly less righteous and
carefully argued grounds, effectively scaring media companies away from
any program
In short, AIDA seeks to kick open a small but strategically crucial door. And once the door is open, pretty much anyone could stroll in. Loyola University constitutional law professor Allen Schoenberger said if the suit succeeds, "the media might be reduced to Pablum, in terms of not being able to talk bad about any ethnic group. You'd have to have racially mixed groups of bad guys in movies and TV shows to avoid sending any kind of negative message. I can't imagine any ethnic group would want to get into that." The professor imagines wrong. Bloomfield chiropractor and anti-defamation activist Emanuele Alfano was overjoyed by the thought of HBO having to defend a mob show in court. "I'm sorry we don't have that same rule in New Jersey," he said. Enrico Mirabelli, the lead attorney for the Chicago activists, goes even further. "This is the opening round of the Italian-American civil rights movement," he says. Mirabelli says the suit was filed because protests by activists in New Jersey, New York, Chicago and elsewhere haven't had enough of an impact. "Italian-Americans are sick and tired of being constantly portrayed as if our only method of achieving success is to become involved in illegal activities," he says. The lawsuit cites research stating that since 1931 (the year of the original "Scarface"), some 800 American films have "depicted Italian-Americans mostly as criminals." It cites a poll by the Princeton-based Response Analysis Corp. which found that 74 percent of Americans associate Italian-Americans with the mob. Most strikingly, the lawsuit seeks to use "Sopranos" creator David Chase's
own elaborately detailed gangster characters as witnesses for the prosecution.
"Tony Soprano refers to himself and his associates as 'Romans.'
The lawsuit is based not around the specific content of single episodes, but on the fact that "The Sopranos" is an ongoing series that reaches 8 to 12 million people each week. This is a minor but important legal distinction. An allegedly defamatory
movie or novel could be shrugged off as a one-time offense; a weekly drama,
the Chicago activists argue, amounts to protracted and systematic cultural
In a statement released yesterday by its legal department, HBO did not specifically address the lawsuit. The statement said only: "We are very proud of 'The Sopranos.' We are hardly alone in our assessment that the show is an extraordinary artistic achievement." You'd better believe HBO will contest this suit. This is a bare-knuckled First Amendment brawl. And depending on your spot in the audience, either fighter could claim to be the champion of right and virtue. In one corner is a small but vocal group of Italian-Americans who are sick of having occasional positive images of their people overshadowed by a nonstop parade of leather-jacketed thieves and killers. In the other corner is an entertainment company, AOL-Time Warner; the jewel in its crown, HBO, a cable channel with a reputation for edgy, often outstanding entertainment; the award-winning, hard-working writers, actors and crew on "The Sopranos," many of whom are proud Italian-Americans; and last but not least, the acclaimed Italian-American creator of this sprawling pop epic, North Caldwell's own David Chase. So what's next? Legal experts expect the company to file immediately for a dismissal, on the grounds that (1) the show causes nothing besides the inevitable hurt feelings, and (2) the whole argument is just plain silly. But it might not be wise to bet against this Chicago-based group, for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the provision has been on the books for 31 years. It hasn't been tested since 1977, when a black customer in a Peoria, Ill., department store sued for damages because a store employee wrote a slur on a merchandise return slip implying the man was arrogant because he was black. But while the appellate court found that the plaintiff couldn't collect damages, it did rule that the store had violated the Individual Dignity provision. It's tenuous, but it's a precedent. "I have no doubt that if (the AIDA) was asking for criminal penalties,
it would be held unconstitutional," says Schoenberger. But if the group
is asking "only for kind of a warning label, if you will, then that's pretty
Beyond that, nobody knows what will happen. Nutley attorney and anti-defamation activist Martin Picillo epitomizes
the complex feelings summoned by the latest chapter in this mini-saga.
As an attorney, he thinks the suit could cause serious First Amendment
"I believe there are a number of things entertainment companies will
not do, for whatever reason, to other ethnic groups, but they will do them
to Italian-Americans because not enough of us get irate," he says. "Little
by
The Italian One Voice Committee announces full support of AIDA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Information contact:
BLOOMFIELD, NJ The Italian One Voice Committee today announced full support for the lawsuit filed by the American Italian Defense Association (AIDA) against the "Sopranos" media parent Time Warner. The suit which alleges a violation Individual Dignity clause of the Illinois Constitution, does not seek censorship nor cancellation of the show but it does attempt to get a determination that Italian Americans are being systemactially targeted. The Italian One Voice Committee, a grass roots activist group which opposes negative stereotyping, is reaching out to all Italian Americans and their various organizations to support this effort.
Sons of Italy/Commission for
Social Justice
Washington, D.C., April 6, 2001 - The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA),the largest and longest- established organization of American men and women of Italian heritage in the world, and its anti-defamation arm the Commission for Social Justice (CSJ) have endorsed a lawsuit filed by the American Italian Defense Association against HBO for its discriminatory series “The Sopranos.” “We strongly support the spirit of the lawsuit,” said OSIA National
President Philip R. Boncore, Esq. “The nefarious images that glorify crime,
adultery, and other heinous acts and encourage the public to associate
those
AIDA is one of a growing list of individuals, organizations, and municipalities that are rejecting “The Sopranos” because of its false, defamatory content. Essex County, N.J., officials prohibited “The Sopranos” from filming in the county. The Columbus Citizens Foundation refused to allow “The Sopranos” cast members to march in this year’s Columbus Day Parade in New York City. William Paterson University in New Jersey also recently denied permission for “The Sopranos” to film on its campus. “The tide is changing,” said CSJ President John Dabbene. “More people in the position to shun ‘The Sopranos’ are doing so because they realize the detrimental effects it has on the country’s fifth largest ethnic population - the Italian Americans who have contributed so positively to this nation and the world.” Established in 1905, OSIA has long been a leader in the promotion of Italian culture in the United States, and abroad. The Commission for Social Justice was founded to ensure equal treatment, concern, respect, and freedom for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, or sex. The CSJ is particularly dedicated to eliminating false, negative portrayals of Italian Americans in the media and entertainment industries and replacing them with true, positive, and affirming portrayals. For more information on OSIA or the CSJ contact them at (202) 547-2900 or nationaloffice@osia.org, or visit www.osia.org. Contact: Diane E. Crespy, Communications Manager
CONSUL GENERAL BACKS SUIT AGAINST
'SOPRANOS'
Italy's consul general in Chicago publicly supported the lawsuit by Italian-American attorneys and civic leaders against HBO's "The Sopranos" series. "We are facing negative stereotyping of Italians and Italian Americans," Enrico Granara said. The civic leaders, under the umbrella of the American Italian Defense
Association, are using the Illinois Constitution's overlooked clause of
"individual dignity" to ask a jury to condemn the show for stereotyping
"The Sopranos" "suggests that criminality is in the blood or genes of Italian Americans," said an AIDA vice president, Robert U. Dini. In the weekly series, a New Jersey mob family feasts on Italian cuisine and listens to Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Andrea Bocelli as it kills rivals. The show attempts to connect Italian-American culture with organized crime in the American psyche, the suit states. Section 20 of the Illinois Constitution states in part: "Communications
that portray criminality, depravity or lack of virtue in . . . a group
of persons by reason or reference to religious, racial, ethnic, national
or regional
The suit against Time Warner Entertainment Co. seeks neither money nor cancellation of the show. "AIDA is not after Time Warner's money," Dini said. "I think they might have a chance," said William Schroeder, an expert in state constitutional law at Southern Illinois University. "The Sopranos" is hardly the first production to stereotype Italians
as mobsters, but movies don't have the impact of a weekly series so relentlessly
promoted, said attorney Enrico J. Mirabelli. In just the last two weeks,
"The
An Italian network has just bought the rights to show it in Italy, and
"I don't think they will be happy to see the Italian Americans portrayed
like that," Granara said. Italian visitors to this country are often surprised
to
Time Warner issued a statement Thursday saying, "We are very proud of `The Sopranos.' We're hardly alone in our assessment that the show is an extraordinary artistic achievement."
For Immediate Release- April 10, 2001 FIERI Supports Lawsuit filed
by AIDA
New York, April 10, 2001 - Fieri, an international organization of young Italian-American professionals today endorsed the lawsuit filed by the American Italian Defense Association against AOL Time-Warner's HBO unit for its offensive series "The Sopranos." In the past, the media industry has taken such protests as disdainfully annoying to be dismissed or ignored. That is until now when the media giant will have to answer for itself in court. "AIDA has a great case and we strongly support their approach…this is long overdue." said Roberto Ragone President of Fieri National. Of particular concern is that such imagery is so pervasive that now advertisers are now emulating the show - further perpetuating these negative stereotypes. AIDA's approach is unique. By seeking neither damages for Time Warner's actions nor a restraint on the airing of the show, AIDA makes no attempt to infringe upon Time Warner's right of free speech. Instead, AIDA seeks a Declaratory Judgment from the Circuit Court that various episodes or the series as a whole, breaches the Individual Dignity clause of the Illinois' constitution with respect to Italian Americans as a group. In response to HBO's defense of the show on its 'artistic merit', Ragone
held, "That is nothing more than a thinly veiled ruse; a self-serving argument
as clever as the TV plot, equally distorting people's perception. HBO is
out to make a buck, and to suggest otherwise is disingenuous. Just another
attempt to reject any accountability for polluting the cultural
"You're unlikely to see an ongoing TV series similarly exploit other ethnic groups. Its 'ethnic profiling' that exacerbates a more insidious form of bigotry and prejudice, which should concern every American." Ragone cautioned. "While we credit certain media companies for attempting more balanced portrayals of other ethnic groups, 'The Sopranos' repurpose the same old hackneyed characterizations with new window dressing. In fact, we [Fieri] contacted HBO after the first episode expressing our hope that the Mafia backdrop was a 'Trojan Horse' to introduce more balanced depictions of Italian-Americans. Obviously we're very disappointed at what has instead evolved. The conspicuous absence of the positive and the proliferation of the negative - this gap bolsters the Illinois lawsuit." Ragone continued, "We hear the counter argument. 'Lighten up.' 'It's only entertainment.' More appropriately, 'the Mafia sells.'" Indeed, a 1999 film study conducted by the Italic Studies Institute indicated that Italian-Americans have been portrayed negatively as undignified, low-class people predisposed to crime in 73% of Hollywood movies produced since 1928. "People mention the sprinkle of positive moments on the TV show. But what is the lingering impression of Italian-Americans?" questioned Ragone. One answer may come from a study by Princeton Research, which reveals that more than half of the Americans surveyed associate Italians with organized crime. Meanwhile, the fact is the FBI and the US Justice Department consistently cite statistics showing less than .01% of all Italian Americans are involved in illegal activities. "There are more than 30 million North Americans of Italian heritage and yet the stories chosen to be dramatized feature cliché gangsters, bimbos and buffoons. What about Giannini the founder of Bank of America, scientists Enrico Fermi and Guglielmo Marconi, World War II hero John Basilone, coalition-builders Mayor Laguardia and Congressman Mercantonio? Where are the positive portrayals?" asked Ragone rhetorically. Founded in 1984, Fieri - the Italian word for pride - is a not-for-profit Italian organization of students and young professionals who promote the study of Italian history and culture, higher education, professional networking and the positive portrayal of Italians. Fieri has chapters in Boston, Brooklyn, Bronx-Westchester, Chicago, Long Island, Manhattan, Metro Detroit, North New Jersey, Queens, Rhode Island, Staten Island, Toronto and Washington D.C. Many other chapters are being formed. For more information, contact Dominic Tassone, National Public Relations Director at (212) 414-5440; (502) 608-5814 or pr@fieri.org, or visit www.fieri.org.
NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL,
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE- 04/11/01 The NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL, ( NIAC) announces its full and complete support of the AIDA ( American Italian Defense Association) Lawsuit, brought against the HBO television series, the SOPRANOS. The NIAC is proud to endorse its neighbor AIDA
in this cause, and truly believes that this Lawsuit is appropriate, justified,
and necessary, in order for the American People to become aware of the
negative stereotyping of Italian
NIAC activists, and others protested the SOPRANO's promotional visit during the month of February 2000 in Chicago, Il. Furthermore, the NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL stands ready to defend the Italian American community against those within the Hollywood Media who have a field day depicting Italian Americans negatively in movie films. The AIDA Lawsuit brings to the American people of all cultures that hope, decency, and traditional cultural values are still important and very necessary in American society. Let there be no doubt. The Italian American people shall remain strong in their Quest for justice from this program that depicts Italian Americans in such a negative, and offensive manner. NIAC President & Founder Anthony E. La Piana,
proudest moments in the NIAC commitment to the civil rights movement was
the instrumental, crucial, and successful role it played in the lobbying
that dealt with the unjust
The NIAC is intensely involved in a full spectrum of projects that combat negative stereotyping directed at Italian Americans. The NIAC is intent in proving thru persistence, determination, and strength, that the Italian American people shall overcome these senseless acts of bigotry. The NIAC is Dedicated to the Advancement of Italian Americans, and is "An Anti Defamation Society". Phone calls are being taken at ( 630 )415-1817
THE COALITION OF ITALO-AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS, INC. of New York (CIAA) SUPPORTS AIDA VRS. THE SOPRANOS CRIME IS A FUNCTION OF PERSONAL GREED, NOT SOME INHERITED IMMORAL DEGENERACY. Our Coalition represents 139 great Italian American organizations. We have been inundated with complaints about the Sopranos. The most frequent question asked is how we stand on the issue. The answer to this question is extremely complex. First, let us assure you that, in speaking out on any issue, our Organization has never intended to tread on artistic or creative expression or to infringe on the Constitutional rights of anyone in any way. We have NEVER taken that position. Our position regarding "The Sopranos" is not about censorship at all. Our Organization does not want to stifle anyone's right to free speech. That would be abhorrent to us, since we so often stand with other ethnic and racial groups in support of civil rights issues. To us, this is about fairness. Decades old
stereotypes that associate Italian-Americans with organized crime, buffoonery
and illegal activity persists to this day. The numbers of Italian-Americans
who actually participate in organized crime is a tiny fraction of the Italian-American
population, but images in the popular media suggest
Our Organization hopes that, by raising objections
when the old, negative stereotypes are appear too often, we can bring attention
to the fact that the vast majority of Italian-Americans are decent, law-abiding
people who achieve success through education and hard work. We feel
that this aspect of the Italian-American culture is neglected in the
In speaking out about "The Sopranos", we hope to influence HBO in taking The Sopranos off the air. In the absents of that goal, to persuade HBO to give equal time to the real side of Italian-American life and to show what the vast, vast majority of Italian Americans are really like. We do have a sense of humor and we rarely if ever take a stand on these types of issues. In the past our great organization has honored many great Italians such as Frank Sinatra, Chas Palminteri, Danny Aiello, Jack Scalia, Tony Lobianco, Steven Segal, John Tuturro etc, many of which have portrayed Organized Crime figures. We certainly respect their right to choose their roll. We only hope our efforts will produce additional positive rolls for these very same people to chose from. Maybe the writers and producers should try harder so those choices are also available. When the Sopranos was first aired, we tried to understand that there aren't enough positive roles for Italian type actors to choose from. They are unfortunately stereotyped and we understand they have to earn a living. On occasion, we even encourage some to play these negative roles so they would actually have some editorial control and reduce the negative portrayals of our people. However, our position is that while they are actually playing these roles, Italian organizations should refrain from honoring them as actors or Italians. It only lends to publicize the Movies they are staring in at that time as it sends the wrong message to Hollywood that we Italians condone how we are being portrayed by the media. Too often, the media glamorizes Italian gangsters. This is not typicalof the Italian American and we don't want our children or yours emulating this glamorized negative portrayal of Italians. Please know that these are serious issues for the individuals and groups that make up or membership. They feel - not unfairly - that Italian- Americans constitute one of the few, if not the only, ethnic group about whom such negative stereotypes are so openly tolerated without an honest attempt towards balance. They have a right to their opinions, and we, as spokesmen ad women for the Organizations, that represent them, are obligated to voice their concerns. We choose our positions carefully. Let us reiterate that our Organization is not trying to impose censorship and does not want to suppress freedom in the arts. We have great respect for the First Amendment. We just want to achieve a degree of fairness in the way Italian-Americans are depicted. HBO's series "the Sopranos" is a flawed attempt at a fictional portrayal of a very limited sector of the Italian-American community in this nation. "The Sopranos" should be taken off the air because it actually spreads hate for Italian Americans and is perpetuating a very negative image of Italian-Americans not only across the country but also now around the world. In as much as that goal is unrealistic, we are asking for much more balance in the way Italian Americans are portrayed in the media. We deserve to be treated with the same respect as all other great religious and ethnic groups that make up this country. Whether you admit it or not, HBO is not treating Italian Americans with the same level of respect or fairness as they show other ethnic and religious groups. When was the last time you saw a rerun of Amos and Andy? How long would they get away with a show called "The Shiperos" with all the unfair negative stereotypes pertaining to our Jewish brothers and sisters? They wouldn't air one of these shows. However, look how they justify what they do to Italians. They say, "The producer and all the actors are Italians". Then it would be ok to air The Shiperos as long as everyone associated with it was Jewish. Yeah sure. The unmistakable difference is that HBO's programming is terribly biased towards the negative when it comes to the vast, vast majority of their programming towards Italian Americans. Why not, it sells. What else is there? Something had to take the place of "Cowboys and the Indians" on TV and the movies. You can isolate this show and say it's great, it's somewhat realistic, or it is very entertaining. This is not the point. The point is that HBO portrays all Italians on most all their shows like they portray them on the Sopranos. This is not solely about "The Sopranos"; this is about HBO portraying a balanced portrayal of Italians and Italian Americans and air some of their many great contributions. This is about just balance. We recognize everyone's first amendment right
to speak their mind including HBO and Actors. However, HBO shouldn't
hide behind this because it's financially rewarding. HBO has an obligation
to work harder. There is a disgusting imbalance and lack of positive
programming and positive roles for Italians and Italian Americans on
HBO owes it to all ethnic and religious groups to promote positive images and we feel they have a moral and legal obligation not to defame. Certainly a true balance is just. The federal courts in Scelsa vrs The City University" in which our Coalition testified and was deeply involved, the Court concluded that imbalance is discrimination and defamation. There is no small coincidence that when Middle America was polled, the results of that pole was that 73% felt Italians were Involved in some sort of crime. In addition, at that very same time when Hollywood and TV was surveyed the survey turned up that 70% of all Italians portrayed in the media were portrayed as criminals, gavoons, and our woman as bimbos. Current generations look at these media glamorized roles on TV and in the movies and our children (yours and mine) want to emulate them. They drop out of school. Italians have one of the highest drop out rates in the country. Future generations when looking at these movies will assume that this is the way we were back then. Is this the way we want to be remembered by our grand children? As vicious killers, drug pushers, extortionists, airheads, and / or bimbos? You can keep watching and do nothing, which is your right. However, just because you may think it is entertaining we shouldn't attempt to justify it. We shouldn't allow us or our parents to be remembered as the media portrays us today. Our parents and we deserve better. Our grand kids deserve better. You know how you and most Italians really are, but do you know how non-Italians perceive us? People from the south, people from the mid west, people from Canada, and all those other countries that only see what the movies show them, how do they perceive us? You could complain to HBO and / or refuse to use products advertised. Many Italians watch it but that doesn't mean we think it is right, or it's ok. It's not us we have to worry about, It's all those who don't know us we have to worry about. When our kids apply for a job in Government, the law, Banks etc, etc, how will they be accepted. Will they be suspect? I think so. You can watch "The Sopranos" behind closed doors in your living room but you hurt generations yet un born by going around saying there is nothing is wrong with that kind of programming just because you find it entertaining. Don't be so naive to think that no one is negatively effective by it. Think about this.... Why does 73% of Middle Americans think that 70% of Italians are involved in crime? Richard A. Grace
STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL ITALIAN FOUNDATION RE: THE RECENT COURT CASE FILED
BY
DATE: April 9, 2001 The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) strongly supports the American Italian Defense Association and its suit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Time Warner Entertainment Company, which produces "The Sopranos." AIDA charges that showing this cable series violates the Illinois Individual Dignity Clause of the Illinois Constitution which condemns communications that portray depravity and criminality and incite hatred or abuse toward a person or group based of religious, racial or ethnic affiliation. Programs like "The Sopranos" are an offense to an estimated 20 million Americans of Italian descent, the nation's fifth largest ethnic group. Frank J. Guarini, Chairman
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. The NIAF funds scholarships, internships, conferences and other programs, and promotes closer cultural and economic ties with Italy. NIAF
Contact: Dona De Santis
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