On Sunday, August 22nd, Stateside Presents and Artists for Action will present two free screenings of 9500 LIBERTY, presented with Spanish subtitles, at The Third Street Theatre at Phoenix Center for the Arts in Phoenix, Arizona.
With the recent federal injunction halting the most controversial aspects of Arizona’s controversial SB 1070, Prince William County, Virginia remains the only jurisdiction in the United States to have implemented a law requiring police to check the immigration status of people they suspect are undocumented.
The award-winning documentary 9500 LIBERTY reveals how this became law and the ensuing aftermath. Film critic Roger Ebert recently praised 9500 LIBERTY warning Arizonans of the potential impact of the controversial immigration law. Law enforcement leaders around the country have pointed to the film as an effective survey of the public safety impacts of laws like SB1070.
9500 LIBERTY was recently presented at the Police Executives Research Forum convention in Philadelphia, PA, and at the Major County Sheriffs’ Association convention in Anaheim, CA.
9500 LIBERTY is directed by Coffee Party founders Eric Byler and Annabel Park. Byler said the film and the movement both promote “civil, fact-based, and solutions-oriented dialogue” as “the best way to approach divisive issues like immigration.”
“A few years before Arizona passed its new immigration law, a similar law was passed and then repealed in Virginia’s Prince William County. The documentary “9500 Liberty” tells the fascinating story of how that happened, and possibly foretells what lies ahead for Arizona. In Virginia, the law was eventually overturned by a combination of middle-class whites, Republican office holders, the police chief, Latinos and economic reality.“ Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times
“This engrossing documentary traces ugly repercussion in northern Virginia when a resolution is passed requiring cops to question anyone they have ‘probable cause’ to suspect of being an illegal alien.” Dennis Harvey, Variety
“There are certain films in certain times that make it exceedingly difficult to shut out the world around you. 9500 Liberty is one of them.” Bill, Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic
“With an uplifting turn of events and some extraordinary acts of conscience, 9500 Liberty is as dramatically charged as any fiction movie. And ultimately, it’s as powerful a booster of the democratic process as anything Frank Capra ever imprinted into our collective memory.” Desson Thomson, The Wrap
“9500 Liberty is a well made, engaging example of the documentary form, a film in which compelling storytelling transcends politics.” Slackerwood.com
Details
9500 LIBERTY (with Spanish subtitles) Sunday, August 22, 2010 – 4 PM and 7 PM Third Street Theatre at Phoenix Center for the Arts 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (map)
For more information, please send an email to charlie@statesidepresents.com.
Panel Discussion to Follow Screenings with Director Eric Byler
Downtown Voices Coalition 