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Media Advisory
For Events Occurring 10/30/14
Contact: Michael Scippa: 415 548-0492
Jorge Castillo: 213 840-3336
Oglala Sioux President at REEL Recovery Film Festival – Los Angeles
Leads Panel on Native American’s Struggle with Alcohol
Following L.A. Premiere of Documentary
Radical Resistance Tour: Pine Ridge, South Dakota
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (October 28, 2014) – Industry watchdog Alcohol Justice has organized a post film panel discussion on the impact of the illegal alcohol activity taking place in the town of Whiteclay, Nebraska, which borders the Pine Ridge, South Dakota Native American Reservation.
What: Panel discussion following the Los Angeles premiere screening of Radical Resistance Tour: Pine Ridge, South Dakota
When: Thursday October 30th at 4:15 P.M.
Where: Laemmle’s NoHo Cinema 5240 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood CA 91601
Who: Panelists:
· Bryan Brewer, Oglala Sioux President
· Evelyn Nieves, Independent Journalist
· Sonny Skyhawk, Founder and CEO, American Indians in Film and Television
· Jorge Castillo, Advocacy Director, Alcohol Justice
· Shawn Imitates Dog, Director of Human Resources, House of Blues (Moderator)
Why:
- 25% of Pine Ridge Reservation youth suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- 2/3 of Pine Ridge Reservation adults suffer from alcoholism
- To stop the illegal alcohol activity at Whiteclay, Nebraska such as:
- Retailer participation in alcohol smuggling into the Pine Ridge Reservation
- Trade of alcohol for sex
- Loitering at the premises of alcohol retailers with open containers
- The inability of Nebraska Liquor Commission to stop illegal retailer activity
- Recent homicides and physical violence
- Alcohol sales to minors
- Alcohol sales to intoxicated people
About the Film:
Four liquor stores in the town of Whiteclay Nebraska (population 12), are selling and bootlegging 4 million cans of beer a year into the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, where it is illegal to possess or consume alcohol. All types of criminal activities take place at the stores yet local law enforcement and the Nebraska state government have failed to act. The documentary shows what activists at Pine Ridge are doing to change the situation.The Radical Resistance Tour that produced the documentary is an autonomous project by a group of mediamakers and organizers. The film, produced in 2014, runs 25 minutes.
About the REEL Recovery Film Festival:
The film and the panel are part of the 6th Annual REEL Recovery Film Festival presented by Writers In Treatment. The REEL Recovery Film Festival celebrates recovery and strives to reduce the stigma of addiction and the anonymity of recovery. Writers In Treatment helps individuals suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction and other self-destructive behaviors get treatment. Tickets to the film and panel cost $10 and can be purchased online or at the event. No one will be denied attendance for lack of funds.
For the full festival schedule: http://bit.ly/1nNA7lZ
To buy tickets online: http://bit.ly/1oWkzxl
To learn more about Pine Ridge: http://bit.ly/133n46T
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