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Amish committee urges boycott of 'Witness' movie

By THOM COLE

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- An Amish group Thursday called for a boycott of the motion picture 'Witness,' saying the film's producers should be reprimanded for exploiting the religion for 'profit and laughter.'

The film features stars Harrison Ford as a Philadelphia detective trying to solve a murder witnessed by an Amish boy.

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The trail leads Ford to Pennsylvania Amish country, where he becomes romantically involved with the boy's mother.

'Witness' recently premiered in nearby Lancaster, the center of the Pennsylvania Amish country where part of the movie was filmed.

'The 'Witness' is not hostile to the Amish. It seems to portray them sympathetically, though the portrait is not accurate,' said a statement issued by the National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom.

'For the Amish, the movie represents immoral and unlikely behavior portrayed for profit and laughter in such a way that it appears sympathetic,' it said. 'We hope that the public -- as a silent expression of respect for our Amish, and as a pocketbook reprimand to all who would exploit them for gain -- will refrain from patronizing the 'Witness.''

The statement was issued through the Harrisburg law firm of Bell & Skelly, which represents the Livonia, Mich., committee.

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The Amish are fundamentalist Christians who lead largely agriculturual, 19th century lifestyles. Their plain dress and horse-and-buggy transportation attract hundreds of sightseers each year.

'Already the Amish country in Pennsylvania is overrun by tourists,' the committee statement said. 'Their voyeurism will be greatly stimulated by national circulation of the 'Witness,' and the crowding, souvenir-hunting, photographing and trespassing on Amish farmsteads will increase.'

In an agreement reached after the filming of the 'Witness,' the administration of Gov. Dick Thornburgh agreed not to promote the Amish country as a site for film production.

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