Hate crimes are a unique, and uniquely destructive form of violence. Hate crime victims are targeted because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. They become victims for simply being who they are. It happens in communities throughout the nation. It happened in Ventura County, in neighboring Oxnard, to a young man named Lawrence King who was murdered because of his sexual orientation.

On September 21st a PBS documentary will explore strategies for preventing hate crimes (see the press release below).

At CSU Channel Islands we will be arranging screenings and discussions about the film. Please consider bringing this production to your campus or community group.

Not In Our Town National Week of Action: Communities stand together against hate

September 8, 2011

Join communities across the country who are using a new PBS documentary to find ways to prevent hate crimes and anti-immigrant violence.

Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness tells the story of residents of a Long Island village taking action after a local immigrant is killed in a hate crime attack by seven teenagers. While starkly revealing the trauma of hate, the film provides a blueprint for people who want to do something before intolerance turns to violence. The film airs nationwide on PBS stations on September 21. (Check local listings.)

As part of Not In Our Town National Week of Action, September 18-24, communities throughout the country will host screenings, events and discussions on hate crime prevention, working to develop new ways to make their towns safer.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Host a screening in your community. Request a Not In Our Town: Light In The Darkness DVD, screening kit, publicity materials and discussion guide.
• Learn about activity ideas for Not In Our Town Week of Action, and download free resources you can use for your events.
• Visit NIOT.org for campaign updates, put yourself on the anti-hate action map, find resources, and post stories about your town.

More About the Film   In 2008, a series of attacks by a group of seven local teenagers against Latino residents of the Long Island, New York town of Patchogue ended with the killing of 37-year-old Marcelo Lucero. An Ecuadorian immigrant, Lucero had been a Patchogue resident for 13 years. Filmed over a two-year period, the documentary follows Mayor Paul Pontieri, the victim’s brother Joselo Lucero, community leaders, residents and students as they openly address the underlying causes of the violence, work to heal divisions and take steps to ensure everyone in their village will be safe and respected.

Learn more at NIOT.org/LightInTheDarkness.

Not In Our Town:  Stop Hate. Together.

Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness was  produced by The Working Group. Major support for this program is provided by PBS, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Einhorn Family Charitable Trust. Additional support has been provided by the Reva and David Logan Foundation and Public Welfare Foundation.

Developed by The Working Group in 1995, Not In Our Town began with a PBS documentary that told the story of how people in Billings, Montana joined together to respond to a series of hate crimes in their town. This simple, powerful story of people banding together struck a chord with audiences, and created a model that inspired viewers around the country to hold their own campaigns against intolerance.  Not In Our Town has grown from a PBS documentary into a national effort to connect people working together to take action against hate and create safe, inclusive communities. Learn more at NIOT.org