Hollywood’s legendary Grauman’s ‘Chinese Theatre’ is suing its insurance company for not covering over $2.5 million in damages and lost business, following the intense demonstrations after George Floyd’s death.
According to new legal documents, obtained by The Blast, the famous Hollywood location’s owner filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County against Zurich American Insurance — claiming the company if failing to pay for a claim to recoup the cost of damages and lost revenue during the protests.
As you know, the location plays host to many world movie premieres and is the location for “handprint ceremonies” for the biggest stars in tinsel town. During these events, the company sells food, and merchandise in and around the property.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Company Claims Over $2.5 MILLION In Damages From Protests
“On or about May 25, 2020, and continuing for several days, large-scale demonstrations and riots, including the destruction of property, occurred through the United States and in particular on Hollywood Boulevard and on the premises occupied by the Theatres and Forecourt caused by intense rage and protests arising from the murder of George Floyd (“Floyd Riots”),” the filing states.
Adding, “business operations were suspended from March 25, 2020, to on or about July 31, 2020. The further business was interrupted because of the damage and destruction caused by the Floyd Riots. The Floyd Riots caused physical damage to (the theatre) personal and real property.”
Obviously, the Chinese Theatre’s owners are claiming the damages and loss of business should be covered under their insurance policy, which is something no one could have imagined would happen at this location.
George Floyd ‘Riots’ Caused Loss Of Business & Damages, Insurance Won’t Pay Up Says Company
In the lawsuit, the theatre says it made a claim to the insurance agency showing the damage to the location, saying, “These business losses and damage to business personal property are comprised of, in pertinent part, (a) loss of business income during the suspension of operations from May 25, 2020, through July 31, 2020, and (b) damage to business real and personal property caused by the Floyd Riots.”
At this point, it appears the insurance company is claiming they don’t have enough information about the damages and issues to pay the amount requested. Shockingly, the theatre says it is more than $2,500,000.
In the end, the Chinese Theatre is asking for a judge to order the insurance company to pay out the claim — and cover the costs of this lawsuit.
As we reported, following the brutal killing of George Floyd a mural of “All Black Lives Matter” was painted in rainbow colors along a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard near the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. At the time, Hollywood Boulevard was the location of numerous protests, including one that brought out over 20,000 people. The Chinese Theatre is in the same location.
One of the protests was organized by a “Black Advisory Board made up of Black LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations” and was said to be “in direct response to racial injustice, systemic racism, and all forms of oppression.”
It’s unclear at the moment, exactly what the specific allegations are regarding the damage to the property. The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was built in 1922, and renamed Mann’s Chinese Theatre in 1973. The newly renovated theater seats 932 people and features one of the largest movie screens in North America.
