In a few short months, a national debate about comprehensive immigration reform will begin. Rep. Luiz Gutierrez has already promised to introduce legislation in the House, but the ugliness that surfaced during the August recess is nothing compared to what's coming. Opponents of immigration reform will continue to stoke racial anxiety by painting immigrants as dangerous "others" who aren't like "us" and who should be feared and hated.
The status quo enables things like racial profiling and families being torn apart to happen. Getting this reform right is important for progressives. We've always stood for being inclusive and we recognize that this great nation was built by immigrants and we're stronger for it.
So as we start strategizing about how to organize around this key issue, I hope you'll join us on October 29th as we kick off a national conversation on immigration.
We begin with the West Coast premiere of the highly anticipated documentary "9500 Liberty", which chronicles the immigration culture war that tore apart a suburban DC community.
Reserve your spot by clicking here.
The filmmakers capture the escalating conflict as it unfolds in the streets, in online forums and in the halls of county government. In the end, the film -- which won the Best Documentary award at Charlotte Film Festival -- endeavors to provide a cautionary tale of the devastation that may yet unfold at the national level, as well as a blueprint for how to avoid the same tragic social and economic consequences on a far greater scale.
I hope you'll join us:
When: Thursday, October 29
6-7 p.m. reception, 7–9 p.m. screening and Q&A
Where: Sundance Kabuki Theater
1881 Post Street, San Francisco
Tickets: $25 reception and screening, $10 screening only
This one-night-only screening is hosted by Citizen Hope, NDN and Netroots Nation, with support from Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Asia Society, Asian Business League of SF, CAAM, Chinese Affirmative Action, Equal Justice Society, Hammering the Issues, Hyphen Magazine, Presente and Screening Liberally. Markos Moulitsas will introduce the film.
Author John Grisham said of "9500 Liberty": "[This film] makes it clear that when we, as a nation of immigrants, debate the immigration issue, we are defining our very identity as Americans."
The screening will kick off a series of panels, discussions and trainings hosted by Netroots Nation revolving around the fight for immigration reform. Look for information on those discussions following the screening.
