June 21, 2018
ArchCity Defenders, a nonprofit civil rights law firm, and KDHX are pleased to announce a three month racial and social justice film series beginning June 21, 2018 at 7pm at The Stage at KDHX. The first film in the series is Marvin Booker was Murdered, an award-winning feature length documentary directed by filmmaker Wade Gardner. Following the film screening, Blake Strode, Executive Director of ArchCity Defenders, will facilitate a Q&A with Gardner and Marvin Booker’s brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Dr. Spencer Booker and Gail Booker. In addition to this screening, Gardner and ArchCity will talk about their partnership on an upcoming film project.
The film uncovers how Marvin Booker, a homeless street preacher, was brutally beaten to death by five Denver jail guards. His death was captured on videotape, and witnessed by more than twenty people. Yet, the guards were neither indicted, nor reprimanded. The film is a reflection of the amazing life of Marvin, his devout Memphis based family, the grassroots community that organized after his death, and a landmark 2014 civil rights trial. The film shows how the city of Denver attempted to protect the thin blue line, instead of the constitutional rights of one of its citizens.
“KDHX is proud to be partnering with ArchCity Defenders to showcase socially relevant documentary films. By offering screenings that are free and open to the public, they are accessible to a wider audience. These films can be catalysts for important conversations which create more equity and justice for the citizens of the region we serve,” said Allison Wilson, Chief Engagement Officer with KDHX.
“I’m honored to again screen Marvin’s story in St. Louis. It received accolades when it first played at the St Louis International Film Festival last November. Marvin’s younger brother, Rev Dr Spencer Booker, is a pastor at the St. Paul AME church in St. Louis. Rev Booker, along with his wife Gail played a pivotal role in fighting for Marvin’s civil rights and are featured in the film. ArchCity Defenders are the best. The work they do, championing citizens’ constitutionally-protected civil rights, is incredible,” said Wade Gardner. “After meeting with them, and learning about the important cases they are working on, it was like a light shined down on us, and we realized we needed to work together on a documentary project. To collaborate on a civil rights story that is impacting the lives of African-Americans is vital.”
ArchCity and KDHX’s film series incorp on a strong racial justice theme and will continue through the summer. The next screening will feature Damon Davis’s award-winning documentary, Whose Streets? on Thursday, July 26th. The third film planned for August 23rd, is to be determined. Event registration is required, though all screenings are free and open to the public, with doors at 6:30pm, and the film beginning at 7pm. To register, visit www.archcitydefenders.org/events
###
Media Contact:
Z. Gorley, Communications Director at ArchCity Defenders
zgorley@archcitydefenders.org