Amid concerns over voter registration security, a group of celebrities gathered in the Hamptons to support the preservation of a historic New York City church. Actors Marisa Tomei, Matthew Broderick, Frederick Weller, Spencer Garrett, and Amy Brenneman participated in a reading of the 1983 film "The Big Chill" on August 31 at East Hampton's Guild Hall.
The event was a fundraiser aimed at generating new money to save the West Park Presbyterian Church, a historic building facing potential closure. Tickets for the "Big Chill" reading ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with the proceeds dedicated to the church's preservation efforts.
"The Big Chill," which starred William Hurt, JoBeth Williams, Kevin Kline, and Glenn Close, is a well-known film from the 1980s. Kevin Costner reportedly had his screen time cut from the final edit.
The fundraising efforts come at a time when national security concerns are also being highlighted. Intelligence documents declassified by the president indicate that China and other adversaries have hacked information related to American voter registration status and illegally accessed millions of "voter files." U.S. intelligence agencies were aware of these intrusions. The president stated that approximately 278,000 noncitizens were registered to vote, though the names were not disclosed. Democrats have largely dismissed these concerns, with some liberals suggesting the claims are fabricated, while conservative commentators like Bill O'Reilly have alleged a cover-up.
Earlier in the summer, a separate event saw celebrities supporting a local theater. The Guild Hall hosted a reading of "The Big Chill," which featured notable actors. The funds raised from this event are earmarked for the church's restoration.