Documentary Looks at Immigration Battle

The documentary film “9500 Liberty” will be shown at 7 p.m., Jan. 18 in the McIntosh Ballroom, followed by a question and answer discussion with the film’s director Eric Byler.

Byler has won awards at the Asian American International Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, Independent Film Festival Boston, St. Louis International Film Festival and Charlotte Film Festival for “9500 Liberty.”  He and co-director Annabel Park are also the founding members of The Coffee Party USA movement. 

Prince William County, Va., becomes ground zero in America’s explosive battle over immigration policy when elected officials adopt a law requiring police officers to question anyone they have "probable cause" to suspect is an undocumented immigrant.

“9500 Liberty” reveals the startling vulnerability of a local government, targeted by national anti-immigration networks using the Internet to frighten and intimidate lawmakers and citizens. Alarmed by a climate of fear and racial division, residents form a resistance using YouTube videos and virtual townhalls, setting up a real-life showdown in the seat of county government.

The devastating social and economic impact of the “Immigration Resolution” is felt in the lives of real people in homes and in local businesses. But the ferocious fight to adopt and then reverse this policy unfolds inside government chambers, on the streets, and on the Internet. “9500 Liberty" provides a front row seat to all three battlegrounds.

This screening of “9500 Liberty” is sponsored by the ONU Office of Academic Affairs, the Getty College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Multicultural Development, the Cultural and Special Events Committee, and the Department of Modern Languages.

Published: Mon, 12/20/2010 - 11:20am