Full Breakdown
Grassroots Campaign for Cinerama Dome Faces Police Intervention
4/7/2026, 3:07:14 AM
Background & Context: The Cinerama Dome's Closure
The Cinerama Dome, a historic movie theater in Los Angeles, has been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally opened in 1963, the venue became part of the ArcLight Hollywood multiplex in 2002 and has hosted numerous notable film premieres. In April 2021, Pacific Theatres, which operated the Dome, announced it would not reopen, citing a lack of viable options for the future of the property.
Core Event: Police Shut Down Protest
On Friday night, a grassroots campaign led by Ben Steinberg, a 26-year-old film student at California State University, Northridge, faced a significant setback when the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) intervened during a protest aimed at urging Decurion Corp., the theater's owner, to reopen the Dome. Steinberg, along with a projectionist and a security guard, projected images of the Forman family—owners of Decurion—onto the theater's facade, accompanied by the slogan “Mr. Forman REOPEN THE DOME!” After approximately two and a half hours, LAPD officers arrived in response to a complaint from Decurion, stating that the protest constituted harassment. Steinberg complied with the police directive to cease the demonstration.
Official Statements & Responses
Steinberg expressed disappointment over the police intervention, stating, “This is the only sign that they’ve given us that they don’t want us to continue and it’s definitely a threat.” He emphasized the cultural significance of the Cinerama Dome, asserting that it represents not just a venue for films but also the community's cultural capital. The LAPD confirmed the details of the incident, while Decurion did not provide immediate comments regarding the protest or the ongoing campaign.
Criticism & Opposition: Concerns Over Corporate Ownership
Critics of Decurion's management practices have voiced concerns about the company's lack of transparency and its decision to keep the Dome closed. Steinberg noted that the campaign has evolved into a broader discussion about the ownership of historic buildings and the impact of large corporations on cultural landmarks. He remarked, “It seems like the whole world cares about the Cinerama Dome... it just kind of represents the overall landscape of L.A. and America.”
What's Next: Future of the Campaign
Steinberg's Save the Cinerama Dome campaign, which began in April 2021, is currently on indefinite pause following the police intervention. However, he remains hopeful about resuming efforts to advocate for the theater's reopening, emphasizing the importance of the Dome to the Los Angeles community.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They came to us and they informed us that the property owner considers it harassment and that it’s an escalation and that we have to shut down,” — Ben Steinberg, Film Student
- “I think it’s extremely important to the community of Los Angeles and it represents the city,” — Ben Steinberg, Film Student
- “When I first posted about it, I thought people wouldn’t care,” said Steinberg.” — Ben Steinberg, Film Student
