City of Alexandria, VA
09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2024 09:13
Alexandria Documentary Film Promotes Unvarnished Racial History
For Immediate Release: September 16, 2024
Media Contact: Communications and Engagement Specialist Jeanene Harris at [email protected] or 703.746.4734.
Alexandria Documentary Film Promotes Unvarnished Racial History
Join the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project for the debut of "Resolved: Never Again" on September 21, 2024, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Alexandria, Va. - TheAlexandria Community Remembrance Project announces the premiere of Resolved: Never Again, a poignant documentary by award-winning filmmaker Robin Hamilton.
The 50-minute film traces Alexandria's journey from its establishment in 1749, through its role as a major hub for the domestic slave trade, to the lynchings of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas, and finally to present-day efforts to confront this past. The documentary features interviews with Alexandria's leaders, including Mayor Justin Wilson, former Police Chief Don Hayes, and Sheriff Sean Casey, as well as descendants of Joseph McCoy.
The debut will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, the second anniversary of the soil collection for Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas.
"This film is a testament to the power of truth-telling and the willingness to acknowledge the good and the bad in our shared history," said Gretchen Bulova, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria and co-chair of ACRP.
"Until ACRP was founded in 2019, too many Alexandrians didn't know about broad sections of our history, such as the lynchings of two teenaged Black Alexandrians in 1897 and 1899," said Audrey Davis, who heads up the Division of African American History and co-chairs ACRP.
In the film, Mayor Justin Wilson, former Police Chief Don Hayes and Sheriff Sean Casey talk about the importance of taking responsibility for this past. While Joseph McCoy descendant Debra White shares what it was like for her family to learn about their connection to this history.
"The subject matter is tough, but it also opens the door to healing, learning and reconciliation," said Hamilton, whose film also explores the impact the Equal Justice Initiative's Remembrance Movement has had on the Alexandria community. Through ACRP, city residents have erected historic markers, held a soil collection, and brought 165 Alexandrians, including Alexandria City High School students on a pilgrimage to EJI's museum and memorials in Montgomery, Alabama.
"The work we have done to date has established a multigenerational group of Alexandrians who are having hard conversations. We hope the film will inspire more dialogue and actions that bring Alexandrians together in this way," said Bulova.
Hamilton agreed, adding, "Confronting difficult moments in history helps all of us."
The premiere will take place Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the screening beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by a panel discussion featuring key figures from the film. A separately priced reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall at the George Washington Masonic Memorial is being held to raise funds to support the work of ACRP. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
Event Details:
Film Screening & Panel Discussion:
- Time:7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
- Ticket Prices:
Special Fundraising Reception:
- Time:5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
- Ticket Packages:
$250.00 - Champion:Includes two film tickets, access to the reception, priority seating, signed poster, reserved parking, and event recognition.All proceeds support the ongoing work of ACRP, such as programing and remembrance events aimed at fostering healing and understanding in an effort to build a more inclusive, equitable and just community. Buy Tickets.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.
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For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at [email protected]or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) is a city-wide initiative dedicated to helping Alexandria Understand its history of racial terror hate crimes and to work toward creating a welcoming community bound by equity and inclusion.
Alexandria at 275: Connecting to our past to define a brighter future.Since its 1749 founding, the historic city of Alexandria has played a major role in our nation's story and reflected its progress toward inclusivity. Join us at events from April through September as we mark Alexandria's 275th anniversary and embark on the next chapter in our city's vibrant history at alexandriava.gov/ALX275.