Washington, D.C. — The Center for American Progress’ Smart on Crime Initiative and Reel Progress program will screen the upcoming HBO Documentary, “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland.”
In 2015, Sandra Bland, a politically active 28-year-old black woman from Chicago was arrested for a traffic violation in a small Texas town. Three days later, Bland was found hanging from a noose in her jail cell. Though ruled a suicide, her death sparked allegations of racially motivated police murder and Bland became a poster child for activists nationwide, leaving millions to question, “What really happened to Sandra Bland?”
Ten days after Bland’s death, filmmakers Kate Davis and David Heilbroner began working closely with the family’s legal team, tracking the two-year-long battle between Bland’s aggrieved family and Texas authorities. With disturbing, never-before-told details about the case, the film is punctuated by Bland’s own passionate and moving commentary.
Approximately 30 “Sandy Speaks” video blogs, which Bland created herself, allowed the filmmakers to get to know Bland in a deeply personal way. Via these videos, Bland herself emerges as a central voice in “Say Her Name”—an empowered, enlightened woman of color whose sharp, humorous, charismatic remarks address subjects from educating kids about black history to police brutality to the importance of natural hair.
Following the screening, please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with David Heilbronner, the director of the documentary, and Cannon D. Lambert Sr., the attorney for the Bland family.
“Say Her Name” premieres on HBO on Monday December 3, 2018, at 10 p.m. ET.
Press are welcome to RSVP using the following link.
WHO:
Welcoming remarks:
Ed Chung, Vice President, Criminal Justice Reform, Center for American Progress
Post-film discussants:
David Heilbronner, Director, “Say Her Name”
Cannon D. Lambert, Sr., Attorney for the Bland family
Moderator:
Daniella Gibbs Leger, Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategy, Center for American Progress
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Landmark E Street Cinema
E St. NW between 10th St. and 11th St.
Washington, D.C. 20004
Space is extremely limited. RSVP is required.
Closed-captioned-enabled video of the discussion will post following the conclusion of the event.
If you require ADA-related accommodations for your in-person attendance at this event, please email [email protected] as soon as possible so that we may assist you.
For more information, please contact Chris Ford at [email protected] or 202.741.6277.