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Press Release
Press Release · Monday, December 4, 2000

Press Release
December 4, 2000
Films at the National Archives in January

Washington, DC . . . In January, the National Archives and Records Administration presents five film screenings in celebration of African American History Month.

The screenings will be held in the theater of the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, and in the auditorium at the National Archives at College Park, located at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD. All programs are free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the National Archives at College Park. The times and dates may be verified by calling the National Archives public events line at (201) 501-5000. The hearing impaired should call TDD (202) 501-5404 for information.

PLEASE NOTE: The theater at the downtown National Archives Building is equipped with a system that allows the hearing-impaired to use a set of headphones, or neck loop and a small receiver, to enhance the volume of the public address system. Visitors may request these devices in the projection booth.

Washington, DC Films

Friday, January 5- African American History
African-Americans: Marching to Freedom, released in 1999. This ABC News program hosted by Peter Jennings traces the rise of the civil rights movement through a century of Jim Crow segregation, denial of voting rights, public lynching, KKK rallies, sit-ins and marches, police brutality, Black Panther militancy, and urban riots. (54 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, January 12- African American History
Out of Obscurity: The Struggle to Desegregate America's Libraries, released in 2000. In 1939 five young men staged a sit-in protest to open an Alexandria, VA, public library to African Americans. The documentary features a reenactment at the original site of the protest. Through interviews with one of the original participants, local residents, and civil rights experts, Out of Obscurity presents the story of this quiet but effective confrontation. Narrated by Dr. Julian Bond. Directed by Matt Spangler and Eddie Becker. (40 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, January 19- African American History
Nashville: We Were Warriors, released in 2000. In fall 1959, Rev. James Lawson offered free evening classes on nonviolent action to university students in Nashville. His guidance helped them endure beatings and arrests as they led a boycott to desegregate the city's business district. Part of the series, A Force More Powerful produced by Films for the Humanities, Inc. (32 minutes.)
Rosa Parks: The Path to Freedom, released in 1997. Produced for the 40th anniversary of the day when Mrs. Parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus, this film is a biography of this dynamic but quiet woman. Produced by Kingberry Productions. (20 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, January 26- African American History
Scottsboro: An American Tragedy, released in 2000. In 1931, nine teenage African American boys were pulled from a freight train in Painted Rock, MS, as were two disheveled white women. Accused of raping the women, the nine went to trial in neighboring Scottsboro. The film elaborates upon the unlikely union between the Communist Party and showman lawyer Sam Liebowitz in their efforts to simultaneously spare the boys and use them to their own ends. Directed and produced by Barak Goodman and Daniel Anker. (96 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

College Park, MD Films
(For descriptions of the College Park films, see previous listings)

Monday, January 8
*African-Americans: Marching to Freedom (54 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

Tuesday, January 16
*Out of Obscurity: The Struggle to Desegregate America's Libraries (40 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

Monday, January 22
*Nashville: We Were Warriors
*Rosa Parks: The Path to Freedom (52 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

Monday, January 29
*Scottsboro: An American Tragedy (96 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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