UAA, KAKM and CIRI present public screening of documentary “For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska” in honor of Alaska civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich
ANCHORAGE, AK – The University of Alaska Anchorage has partnered with KAKM and CIRI to present For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska in celebration of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on Tuesday, Feb. 16. A free public screening of the film will be held at 7 p.m. at UAA’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium. Following the film will be a panel discussion including UAA alumnus Jeffry Silverman, producer; UAA alumna Diane Benson, writer/actor; UAA professor Dr. Phyllis Fast; and Alaska Native leader Perry Eaton.
For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska is a film about the courageous story of Alaska Natives who overcame prejudice, disadvantage and blatant bigotry to win justice for all Alaskans. A blend of documentary and drama, with reenactments, new interviews and rare historic footage, this one-hour film traces the remarkable story of Alaska’s civil rights movement in a series of victories for citizenship, voting rights, school desegregation and freedom from discrimination. The film, a part of UAA’s Alaska Civil Rights Month, contains a powerful message and many important lessons that still resonate with Alaskans today.
UAA Chancellor Fran Ulmer was a leader in establishing Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. While serving in the Alaska State Legislature in 1988, Chancellor Ulmer sponsored in the House and Jim Duncan sponsored in the Senate a bill to create Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Chancellor Ulmer also recommended that one of the two House Galleries, where the public sits and listens to the session, be named after Elizabeth Peratrovich. Click here (http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/chancellor/news/honoring-elizabeth-peratrovich.cfm) to read the inspiring speech, “Honoring Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich,” that Chancellor Ulmer gave the day the House accepted the creation of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day.
For more information about For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska, visit www.alaskacivilrights.org or call (907) 786-4851. Visit UAA’s Office of Campus Diversity and Compliance Web site (http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/diversity/) for a complete list of Alaska Civil Rights Month/Black History Month events.