American Sniper.jpg

Bradley Cooper in a scene from "American Sniper." (Courtesy photo | Warner Bros)

(Courtesy photo | Warner Bros)

The University of Michigan isn't the only area university whose showing of the film "American Sniper" on Friday caused controversy.

Four protesters were temporarily detained after disrupting an 8 p.m. showing of the film April 10 on the Eastern Michigan University campus, according to university officials.

EMU spokesman Geoff Larcom said during the first of two planned showings at university's Student Center, protesters got on stage and disrupted the movie.

The EMU Police Department received complaints for subjects causing a disturbance and refusing to leave at about 8:10 p.m. at the Student Center, according to their police log.

About 40 students protested the film, according to a report by the university newspaper, The Eastern Echo.

The Echo reported that student protesters filed onto the stage and held up signs under the screen, before one student began speaking to the crowd.

"Do you want me to play a movie painting your people this way?" the student asked the audience, according to The Eastern Echo.

Audience members reportedly shouted back, "Tell us after."

Larcom said the protesters received several warnings from police before the four were detained.

They were released shortly after with no charges, he said.

The movie continued, but the second showing was ultimately postponed because of the delay in the first showing, Larcom said.

In response to a post on its Facebook page, Eastern Michigan University stated that a new time had not yet been set for the second showing.

Larcom said the university became aware of a potential protest shortly before the 8 p.m. showing.

However, he said officials believed the individuals involved would potentially hand out informational fliers - something he said would have been encouraged.

"Eastern Michigan University is an open and diverse community with many perspectives and viewpoints," Larcom said in a university statement on the incident. "We respect the rights of our students to speak out on issues of importance to them and we encourage civil debate and discussion that promotes empathy and understanding."

Protesters at the event expressed frustration with the university administration for the movie's showing and expressed frustration with both the university and police after protesters were detained, according to The Eastern Echo.

The university police department could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

The Academy Award-winning movie about Navy Seal Chris Kyle's war experiences in the Middle East initially stirred up controversy last week at the University of Michigan when students raised concerns about "negative and misleading stereotypes" of Muslims.

University officials initially canceled the showing and loose plans for a showing of the movie paired with a panel discussion were developed.

However, after receiving backlash from the community, as well as from Michigan Football Coach Jim Harbaugh, the university announced it had made a mistake with the cancellation.

Ultimately, the movie was shown as previously scheduled on Friday, with the added option of a showing of the movie "Paddington," to no major protest.

