Contact
Libby McInernylmcinerny@niot.org
Please join a group of national leaders for a private screening and working discussion about the documentary film and community engagement campaign, Not In Our Town: Light In the Darkness.
Launching in conjunction with a national PBS broadcast this September, the campaign will engage public media, civic leaders, schools and diverse community-based organizations in dialogue and action to address anti-immigrant bias and hate crimes, and will introduce models for positive, sustainable local action.
Your voice and participation at this pivotal moment can help define and expand the reach and impact of this multi-year campaign. We hope you can attend and get involved.
Agenda:
- Preview Screening
- Participant Action Plans: Department of Justice COPS
- Strategy Conversation: Not In Our Town Week of Action community engagement opportunities.
About the film:
In 2008, a series of attacks against Latino residents of Patchogue, New York ended with the killing of 37-year-old Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorian immigrant who had lived in the village for 13 years. Over a two-year period, Light In the Darkness follows Mayor Paul Pontieri, the victim's brother, Joselo Lucero, and diverse community stakeholders and residents as they openly address the underlying causes of the violence, work to heal divisions, and initiate a series of ongoing community actions to ensure everyone in their village will be safe and respected.
The strife in this town mirrors some of the most complex and hotly debated topics in our country today, providing a snapshot of the current state of our sharpest divisions over race, immigration, faith, and identity. As the Patchogue story demonstrates, hate is a community challenge, not simply a criminal issue. The town's commitment to taking action in the aftermath of hate provides an inspiring blueprint for people everywhere.
The broadcast of this film on PBS and the accompanying campaign provide us with a powerful opportunity to engage communities in positive discussions about how to counter anti-immigrant bias and intolerance against all groups.
Questions?
For questions or ideas about the campaign and event, please contact Libby McInerny at lmcinerny@theworkinggroup.org.
Watch the trailer for Light in the Darkness.
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