AceShowbiz -

A block party to mark the end of filming for Spike Lee's upcoming movie "Chiraq" is banned by a Chicago Alderman. Newly elected Ald. David Moore (17th) took issues with the title of the feature film and so he refuses permit for the event.

"Chiraq" is a combination of Chicago and Iraq. The U.S. city often draws comparison to the war-torn zone due to its increasing murder and gun-violence rate in the past few years. The film has been facing criticisms mostly from the city's politicians.

Moore cited the "economic impact" and told Chicago Tribune that he "did not see how the long-term impact would be beneficial. In fact, it seemed like another veiled attempt to buy the community's support." He also claimed to Chicago Sun-Times, "Mothers who have lost their children spoke with me. They had great reservations about this title."

Last month, Lee addressed the controversy in the South Side. He was joined by actor John Cusack and grieving parents who have lost their children to the city's gun and gang violence. "This is nothing to do about Chicago losing tourism. This is not about Chicago losing business. Let's not put the loss of property and profit over human life," Lee said back then.

Cusack, a Chicago native who will star in the film, added, "I love my city of Chicago - all of Chicago - and I'd never do anything to hurt it." The film is about Chicago "but it could easily be any urban American city where poverty and violence and desperation are so ever-present," he explained. "I am 100 percent sure the great city of Chicago can survive a film of conscience just like it did Transformers," he joked.

The block party was planned to be held on Saturday outside St. Sabina's Catholic Church. It would require street closings on the block where the church is located. Rev. Michael Pfleger said the party would go as planned with or without permit.