Jesse Jackson Releases Statement Urging PG-13 Rating

The Reverend Jesse Jackson says children "must be allowed to see [Bully] as it was intended to help raise awareness, increase empathy and change minds" in a press statement released today.

The documentary, which chronicles the bullying epidemic in the American school system, has entered a maelstrom of controversy due to the Motion Picture Association of America's decision to give the film the R rating, which will make it difficult for people under 17 to see the film. The film's distributor, the Weinstein Co., has appealed with the MPAA to change the rating to the more audience-friendly PG-13. Jackson sides with TWC.

Jackson's full statement reads, "Bully is a movie that depicts the nightmare that some kids face every day in schools across America. This harsh reality must not be edited especially considering how bullying has become a horrible form of violence. It drives individuals to suicide and even retaliation. Children are afraid to go to school and therefore their educational productivity decreases. It creates violent reactions in our children and they must be allowed to see the movie as it was intended to help raise awareness, increase empathy and change minds."

Read more about the controversy here and here. Bully will be released March 30.