Library theater
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Date Posted: 2/2/2005
Deschutes Public Library pleased to announce February’s Library Theater movie screening of "For Us: The Living," a film about the life of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.
February is African American History Month and to celebrate Deschutes Public Library will be screening the film tracing the life of civil rights activist Medgar Evers. Evers, a native of Decatur, Mississippi and a graduate of Alcorn State University became the focus of the NAACP’s campaign to desegregate the University of Mississippi when his application was rejected on the grounds of race. Evers and his wife Myrlie Evers opened the first NAACP field office in Mississippi in 1954 and investigated violence and discrimination against blacks. He was instrumental in the eventual desegregation of the University of Mississippi when James Meredith, it’s first black student, enrolled in 1962. Evers was assassinated on his front porch on June 12, 1963. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery and mourned by a nation coming to terms with civil rights. Twice acquitted by all-white juries, Bryon De La Beckwith was finally convicted on February 5, 1994.
Myrlie Evers-Williams, who tirelessly lobbied for the prosecution of her husband’s killers for 30 years is a resident of Bend. After her husband’s assignation, she found her own voice in the political arena as well as the literary world. She served as the first black woman appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Public Works and as the first woman full time chairperson of the NAACP. She has written two books. Her piece depicting the life of her husband was made into a film in 1991 and directed by Michael Schultz. Starring Howard Rollins as Medgar Evers and Irene Cara as Myrlie Evers, the film captures the true story of one man's courageous fight for his people's dignity and the ultimate price a true hero is willing to pay for freedom. Her newest literary offering will be released in June.
For more information about this or other library programs, please call 312-1032 or visit www.dpls.lib.or.
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