Photo Credit: Steve Granitz/Getty Images
After watching the backlash of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly docu-series, authorities are preparing for what may come during the premiere of the Michael Jackson documentary, Leaving Neverland, at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.
The 10-day film fest kicks off next Thursday, Jan. 24 in Park City, UT, and groups of people are organizing an anti-documentary protest via social media. Operating with the mentality that anything could happen, the Park City Police Department is dispatching both uniformed and undercover officers to be on location – inside and outside the venue where the film will make its debut.
TMZ reports “law enforcement is most concerned about disruptions taking place during the Q+A portion of the premiere…because that’s when protestors have caused the biggest disturbances.”
While police presence will hard to miss, law enforcement is assuring the public that they will not stop them from exercising their First Amendment Rights (“as long as protestors don’t block sidewalks or entrances.”
Many have urged the film festival to pull the documentary from its lineup, but the powers that be opted to go forwards anyways, says TMZ.
For those unaware, the documentary follows the story of MJ’s sexual assault allegations, which were acquitted in 2005.
Take a look at the trailer for Leaving Neverland below.