A campaign to pressure movie director Spike Lee to change the name of his upcoming movie Chiraq has stepped up after a rookie alderman refused to grant a city permit to close a street for a summer block party. 

Spike LeeSpike Lee is facing pressure to change the title of his upcoming movie Chiraq

Newly elected Ald. David Moore (17th) is refusing to grant permission for a bash outside St. Sabina's Catholic Church in Auburn-Gresham on Saturday because it is sponsored by Lee and the cast of Chiraq - a film about black-on-black violence.

"He would not sign the permit if Spike Lee had anything to do with it. He said his residents have a problem with the name of the movie," said Rev. Michael Pfleger, the pastor of St. Sabina's who is cooperating with Lee on the movie.

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"He was told we would have signatures we'd get from people in the neighborhood showing they're in support of the movie. He would not respond. He's just doing it because he has a problem with Spike Lee and the movie."

Moore said that he denied permission because of the "economic impact" the title Chiraq would have on his impoverished ward.

"We already get excuses from people who come into our community saying why they're not building. I don't want this to be another excuse," Moore said.

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"Mothers who have lost their children spoke with me. They had great reservations about this title. Signing of the permit has to go through the aldermen."

A drama centered on the growing violence in Chicago, Chiraq stars Entourage actor Jeremy Piven and Hollywood stalwarts Samuel L. Jackson and John Cusack. It is set for release in 2016.