Celebrate Black History Month with Word Community's screening of the film, Freedom Riders (previously screened at the Sundance Film Festival) at 7:00 p.m. Feb. 21 at the North Island College Theatre in Courtenay.
Freedom Riders is the powerful, harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed the United States forever.
From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives 鈥� many endured savage beatings and imprisonment 鈥� for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the deep south.
Despite two earlier U.S. Supreme Court decisions that mandated the desegregation of interstate travel facilities, Black Americans in 1961 continued to endure hostility and racism while traveling through the south.
The newly inaugurated Kennedy administration, embroiled in the Cold War and worried about the nuclear threat, did little to address domestic civil rights.
Organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the self-proclaimed 'freedom riders' came from all strata of American society 鈥� black and white, young and old, male and female, northern and southern.
They embarked on the rides knowing the danger but firmly committed to the ideals of non-violent protest, aware that their actions could provoke a savage response but willing to put their lives on the line for the cause of justice.
From award-winning filmmaker, Stanley Nelson, Freedom Riders features testimony from a fascinating cast of central characters: the riders themselves, state and federal government officials, and journalists who witnessed the rides firsthand.
"The lesson of the Freedom Rides is that great change can come from a few small steps taken by courageous people. And that sometimes to do any great thing, it's important that we step out alone," said Nelson.
The 115 minute film is a gripping tale of courage to achieve justice. Admission is by donation. For more information, call (250) 337-5412.
鈥� World Community Film Festival
