CAMARILLO : City Protests Showing of NC-17 Movies

One woman sobbed as she spoke about pornography’s effect on her as a child. A man quoted Thoreau as he decried censorship. And the vice mayor read a statement objecting to government legislation of morality.

Late Wednesday, after hearing the sometimes emotional views of about 10 residents, Camarillo became the second Ventura County municipality to protest the showing of NC-17-rated movies in the community. The City Council voted 3 to 1 to send a letter to all three of the city’s cinemas asking them to refrain from screening films that receive the adults-only rating.

The Thousand Oaks City Council voted Oct. 3 to send a similar letter to theaters.

“The government is absolutely required to legislate morals,” Camarillo Councilman Ken Gose said. “If they don’t, they’re not doing their job.”

The candid depiction of nudity in the controversial film “Showgirls”--which ended its three-week run at the Edwards Palace 12 in Camarillo on Thursday--sparked the action in both communities.

Vice Mayor David Smith opposed the council’s involvement in the issue, saying it sets a “serious precedent.” Personal opinion should be distinguished from government pronouncements, he said.

“Jawboning a movie theater about a rating we don’t like is censorship,” he said. “I do not want the Camarillo City Council to take on the role of censor or moral arbiter for our residents.”