Conversation so far:
How did one get into a special screening of the The Birth of a Nation?
What type of restorations of The Birth of a Nation occurred?
One of the earliest high-quality home versions of The Birth of a Nation was film preservationist David Shepard's 1992 transfer of a 16mm print for VHS and laserdisc release.
Are there any other interesting aspects about the article about The Birth of a Nation besides what type of restorations occurred?
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) protested at premieres of The Birth of a Nation in numerous cities.

Question: What was the public's reaction?
Self-contained rewrite: What was the public's reaction to The Birth of a Nation?