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The movie, starring Bradley Cooper as Kyle who was killed by
a disgruntled U.S. veteran on a Texas gun range on Feb. 2, 2013,
has been a box office hit and stirred debate between liberals
and conservatives.
"Today, we commemorate (Kyle's) passing, and we honor his
service and the service of his comrades in arms who have joined
him to defend our great nation," Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a
Republican, said in his proclamation.
The film has been nominated for six Academy Awards, including
best picture, and has grossed $250 million. It tells the story
of Kyle, whose 160 kills in Iraq is considered the highest count
ever in U.S. military history
Critics contend however that the film glorifies war and
sanitizes Kyle, who called Muslims "savages" in his memoir. Some
have also drawn issue with Eastwood's interpretation of the
history leading up to the 2003 Iraq invasion.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said the movie
has led to "violent threats" against its members, and asked
Cooper and director Clint Eastwood to denounce the hateful
language.
Oscar-winning Eastwood, who is a staunch supporter of veterans,
has said "American Sniper" has nothing to do with party
politics.
Cooper, who earned a best actor Oscar nomination for his
performance, said on Monday that he did not foresee how the Iraq
war biopic could become a charged political conversation.
Cooper, who is also a producer on the film, added that he wants
the spotlight to be on soldiers.
Jury selection in Kyle's murder trial is set to begin on
Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
(Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Nick
Macfie)
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