The film "American Sniper" has sparked threats against Muslims across the United States since its release Jan. 16.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said the rate of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim threats has increased as a result of the film, The Guardian reported. The group sent a letter to director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper asking them to speak out to help reduce the hateful backlash against Muslims because of the film.
"American Sniper" was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has made $90 million at the box office. The film tells the story of Chris Kyle, the U.S. Navyy Seal with the highest known number of kills in U.S. military history. However, the film has drawn some heavy criticism from combat veterans and viewers.
ADC President Samer Khalaf said they would not call for a boycott against the film because of its success at the box office and because it would only encourage people to go see the film, according to Reuters. They said they have collected more than 100 threats made on social media since the release of the film and are working with the FBI and police to assess the threats. No one has reported any physically violent incidents since the release of the film.
Khalaf, who has not seen the film, believes a statement from Eastwood and Cooper would send the message that Arabs and Muslims are Americans. He has not received a response from either Eastwood or Cooper.
Chris Kyle died after being shot by a fellow veteran at a gun range near his Texas home in 2013.
