Every 10 years, after the U.S. census, the lines of electoral districts are redrawn—and politicians take that opportunity to manipulate the lines to their advantage, a practice known as gerrymandering. Gerrymandering undermines the will of the people, and as recent Center for American Progress reports have shown, it has concrete impacts on a wide range of issues, including limiting access to health care and preventing legislative action on gun violence.
With a new census on the horizon, it is a critical time for greater public focus on gerrymandering and how it can be prevented. “Slay the Dragon” tells the story of how citizens’ groups are fighting back, with a focus on the group Voters Not Politicians, which fought to put redistricting reform on the ballot in Michigan. It is a timely and engaging film about the perils of gerrymandering—and how citizens can fight back.
Please join CAP’s Reel Progress program for a screening of “Slay the Dragon” at Landmark’s E Street Cinema, followed by a panel discussion with gerrymandering experts and one of the film’s directors.
The Center for American Progress is continually monitoring the development and impact of the global spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The safety and well-being of our panelists and audiences are of the utmost importance to us. While we continue to host public events on the policy issues that face our nation, we are asking all panelists and attendees of CAP events to refrain from coming to CAP if they or someone they reside with is sick or has traveled within the past 14 days to a country designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel” or “Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions.”
Opening remarks:
Trevor Potter, President, Campaign Legal Center
Distinguished guests:
David Daley, Author of “Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn’t Count” & “Unrigged: How Americans Fought Back”
Chris Durrance, Co-director, “Slay the Dragon”
Karen Hobert Flynn, President, Common Cause
Barak Goodman, Co-director, “Slay the Dragon”
Moderator:
Daniella Gibbs Léger, Executive Vice President, Communications and Strategy, Center for American Progress
Note: This screening will be held at Landmark’s E Street Cinema, located on E Street between 10th and 11th Streets NW.
Magnolia Pictures and Participant open “Slay the Dragon” at the Landmark E Street Cinema on March 20