Environmental Justice Film Series to offer education, discussion
The Center for Coalfield Justice is hosting a series of free virtual screenings of environmental films meant to bring communities together and prompt meaningful discussion.
鈥淲e have really felt that part of the issue that鈥檚 been developing over a number of years, and has only gotten worse with covid, is a lack of community, a lack of people talking,鈥� said Lisa DePaoli, communications manager for CCJ.
The films, which will be presented on the CCJ鈥檚 Facebook events page, will be followed by panel discussions and individual break-out discussions.
DePaoli said the goal is bring people together to learn, listen and ask questions in a non-confrontational and non-judgmental way to gain a better understanding of environmental issues.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of disconnect between what people are reading and understanding about what鈥檚 going on,鈥� DePaoli said.
The discussions will also help to illuminate the intersectionality of environmental and other issues like health, employment and equality, she said.
The Environmental Justice Film Series features 鈥淎fter the Spill鈥� on Nov. 4, 鈥淢ossville: When Great Trees Fall鈥� on Nov. 11, 鈥淐ondor and the Eagle鈥� on Nov. 18 and 鈥淚nvisible Hand鈥� on Dec. 2.
鈥淎fter the Spill鈥� is a 2015 documentary that examines those trying to save the Gulf Coast after the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon. 鈥淢ossville,鈥� released in 2019, examines racial justice.
The 2019 release 鈥淐ondor and the Eagle鈥� focuses on indigenous justice, while 鈥淚nvisible Hand,鈥� released earlier this year, examines the right of nature.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to bring people together,鈥� said CCJ Outreach Coordinator Kristen Locy. 鈥淭his is a tough time; these are tough topics too.鈥�
CCJ has assembled panelists relevant to each film 鈥� scholars, experts and those impacted by the subject 鈥� to lead a 30-minute discussion after each screening. After the panelists speak, participants can go into break-out rooms and further discuss the film and issues it raised.
About 80 people signed up to watch the first film in the series, 鈥淲hat Lies Upstream鈥� when it streamed last week, Locy said.
Each film begins at 4 p.m., and discussions last until either 8:30 or 9 p.m. To register for the films, visit www.coalfieldjustice.org/events.
Founded in 1993 as the Tri-State Citizens Mining Network, CCJ is a nonprofit focused on shining a light on environmental issues that impact the area.