*A group of professional Black women is taking legal action against streaming company Hulu to block the release of the upcoming Freaknik documentary.
The women are reportedly concerned about what the doc could potentially expose, as presumably, each of them at one time participated in Freaknik festivities. They’re saying to release the documentary would be unlawful because they did not sign media releases, News One reports.
We reported previously that Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke have teamed up to executive produce the Freaknik documentary. Hulu has announced that the project titled “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” will chronicle the “rise and fall of a small Atlanta HBCU picnic that exploded into an influential street party and spotlighted ATL as a major cultural stage,” per Hulu’s description, as reported by Variety. “Can the magic of Freaknik be brought back 40 years later?”
The first Freaknik picnic was held in Atlanta in the mid-’80s for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The festival evolved in the 1990s into what it is known for today, including dance contests, concerts, parties, sporting events, rap sessions, and job fairs.
READ MORE: Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke to Produce ‘Freaknik’ Documentary for Hulu
The Associated Press once denounced the event, citing “sexual assaults, violence against women, and public safety concerns.” The outlet even called on the Atlanta Committee for Black College Spring Break to publicly oppose the festival in 1998.
“We cannot support events that bring lewd activities, sexual assaults, violence against women, and public safety concerns, [as well as] firetrucks not being able to reach victims and ambulances not being able to reach hospitals in a timely manner,” committee Chairman George Hawthorne said at the time.
The women who are suing to stop the release of the film intend to remain anonymous but the group is reportedly comprised of one politician, three high-level corporate executives, and one judge.
One of the women reportedly claims videos circulating online show her in an “unflattering” light.
The Freaknik documentary will reportedly debut on Hulu in 2024 amid the 40th anniversary of the Freaknik celebration.
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