NYC Screening Of 'Surviving R. Kelly' Evacuated After Gun Threat

Several women who have accused Kelly of sexual misconduct were in the audience when the evacuation was ordered.
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A private New York City screening of Lifetime’s upcoming documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” was evacuated over a gun threat on Tuesday night, according to multiple news reports.

The series delves into the sexual misconduct allegations that have dogged the R&B singer for years. Several Kelly accusers and their family members were reportedly in the audience at NeueHouse Madison Square in Manhattan when the evacuation was ordered. Some of them had been scheduled to speak at a panel discussion immediately after the film screening, Variety reported.

“It was very painful for the survivors that they were not able to share their stories,” a source told the magazine.

Author and activist Feminista Jones, who was attending the screening, posted multiple videos of the scene on Instagram after the theater was evacuated.

“We think it was a credible threat. We think it was done by obvious parties to detract from this moment and this important subject,” CEO of Values Partnerships Joshua DuBois, who helped organize the screener, told those present after everyone had been evacuated.

Other people who attended the screening reacted to the threat on Twitter.

Writer Jamilah Lemieux tweeted about the evacuation, asking, “Who would do that? Who doesn’t want people to see this movie? Who doesn’t want his accusers to speak?”

“This will only fuel the #muteRkelly #SurvivingRKelly movement to end sexual violence,” founder of Girls For Gender Equity Joanne Smith tweeted Tuesday night. “Thank you survivors and @lifetime, this is what power looks like and we will not be deterred.”

Lifetime said in a statement that it had decided to evacuate the event after “several anonymous threats” were called in. Variety reported that the venue had received two anonymous phone calls claiming that someone in the theater had a gun. The calls were reportedly routed to the New York Police Department, which suggested evacuating the venue.

“The safety and security of our panel, guests and staff is of paramount importance to Lifetime,” a network rep told Rolling Stone.

Tarana Burke, the founder of the Me Too movement, was among the attendees. She said on social media that she was “unnerved” by the gun threat, which she described as an “intimidation tactic.”

“We don’t want whoever tries to intimidate us and shut the situation down to feel like they won, because the doc will air and the stories will be told,” Burke told CNN. “These women who come forward to tell their stories are innocent victims. They volunteered to put their lives on display ― they don’t deserve this kind of harassment.”

“Surviving R. Kelly” is a six-part documentary series that chronicles the stories of multiple women who have accused the Grammy-winning singer of sexual misconduct and abuse.

According to Lifetime, the series features more than 50 interviews with public figures, including Burke, singer John Legend, talk show host Wendy Williams and Kelly’s family members.

“For the first time ever, survivors and people from R. Kelly’s inner circle are coming forward with new allegations about his sexual, mental and physical abuse. They are now finally ready to share their full story and shed light on the secret life the public has never seen,” the network said.

The series premieres on Lifetime on Jan. 3.

This article has been updated with more reactions from people who attended the screening.

Alanna Vagianos contributed reporting.

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