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Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro announced that production on his upcoming film, Pawn Shop, has officially resumed in Livingston, Montana, following a temporary permit suspension by local officials. The conservative political commentator publicly criticized the brief shutdown, describing the local government's intervention as "politics, pure and simple" and a violation of the First Amendment.
The Livingston City Commission voted unanimously on October 5 to reinstate the project's filming permits. The decision followed a special public meeting that lasted nearly six hours, during which city commissioners assessed whether the production company, Bonfire Pawn Shop LLC, had complied with municipal requirements.
Local Disruptions Prompted Temporary Halt
The municipal dispute began on October 3, when the city commission voted to halt the on-location shoot after residents raised numerous operational concerns. Local community members expressed frustration regarding street closures, unannounced simulated gunfire, and the presence of heavily armed private security personnel.
A primary point of contention involved the Livingston Food Resource Center, the municipality's sole food bank. Representatives from the center stated they were not properly notified of the scheduling, resulting in a noticeable decline in visits from individuals in need due to nearby road barricades. Neighbors also reported that the film crew had executed hazardous stunts without providing adequate advanced warning to the surrounding residential sector.
Shapiro Denounces Decision as Content Discrimination
Following the initial suspension, Ben Shapiro utilized his platform on The Ben Shapiro Show to condemn the city commission's actions. He argued that municipal authority was being leveraged to target the political orientation of the film.
Ben Shapiro criticized the commission during a recent broadcast, claiming the shutdown was purely political and highlighted comments by Commissioner Cindy Daniels regarding the project's mature content. He further detailed arguments regarding alleged First Amendment violations, which can be reviewed in the referenced source documents.
Revised Agreements Formulated for Reinstatement
To allow filming through October 10, producers accepted revised municipal conditions requiring them to maintain food pantry access, visually shield violent scenes, reduce noise, and restrict private security interactions on public streets.
Production Context and Plot Details
Directed by Michael Polish, Pawn Shop is a collaboration between The Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend. The plot follows an ICE agent, a Hispanic father, and a progressive student trapped together during civil unrest, featuring stars like Danny Trejo and Harvey Keitel. Despite local protests and previous logistical challenges, production has resumed to finish principal photography.
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