Friday, January 27
RR Kick-off Movie
Location: 6 - 10:00 pm at TBA

Movie: Freedom Writers

“Freedom Writers” is inspired by a true story and the diaries of real Long Beach teenagers after the LA riots, during the worst outbreak of interracial gang warfare.  Two-time Academy Award®  winner Hilary Swank stars as Erin Gruwell, whose passion to become a teacher is soon challenged by a group of Black, Latino, and Asian gangbangers who hate her even more than each other.  When Erin begins to listen to them in a way no adult has ever done, she begins to understand that for these kids, getting through the day alive is enough – they are not delinquents but teenagers fighting  “a war of the streets” that began long before they were born.  Erin gives them something they never had from a teacher before – respect.  For the first time, these teens experience a hope that maybe, they might show the world that their lives matter, and they have something to say.

Open discussion follows screening.