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P.C.S. Press release contact: Rajinder Singh Mago 630-440-7730***************************************************************************************************************************
“A DREAM IN DOUBT” HATE CRIME DOCUMENTARY SCREENED IN CHICAGO
Chicago: Advance screening of a cinema documentary “A DREAM IN DOUBT”, coming to PBS on Independent Lens an award winning series, in MAY 2008 took place at The Chicago Cultural Center (Claudia Cassidy Theatre) in Downtown Chicago, on April 19. The film was inspired by the post 9/11 backlash murder of a Sikh American Balbir Singh Sodhi, who wore a turban and beard, articles of his faith, and looked like the enemy to his murderer Frank Roque.
It was the first hate- based murder in the wake of September 11, 2001- One of thousands reported and unreported hate crimes in the years that followed.
The victim Balbir Singh Sodhi, a turbaned Sikh man in Mesa Arizona where his family had sought religious freedom and work, was searching for the American Dream. The Sodhi family is still determined to believe in that dream even as the nightmare continues for many religious and ethnic minorities in a climate of xenophobia and fear.
“A DREAM IN DOUBT” http://www.adreamindoubt.org/ told from the
perspective of the victim's brother Rana Sodhi, portrays one of
America's first post 9/11 hate crime murders punctuated by a growing
wave of violence in retaliation for the terror attacks. A DREAM IN DOUBT
travels to Mesa, Arizona to reveal a story of national tragedy, murder,
community and the American dream.
Following the screening, the film's director and a panel of guest
speakers engaged the keen audience in a lively discussion about the
unfortunate rise in
hate crimes directed at innocent Sikhs, Muslims, Arabs and South Asians
since 9/11, bigotry against immigrant populations and the wearing of the
turban. The discussion ranged from a few misguided bad apples to
systemic problems, education, diversity, and multicultural awareness.
Ninety percent of those who wear turbans and beards in America are Sikhs (an independent religion), who are originally from India and not the Middle East or Afghanistan.
The panel moderated by Ms. Inhe Choi of CAAAELII included Tami
Yeager, Director/Producer of the film, Rajinder Singh Mago of Punjabi
Cultural Society of Chicago (P.C.S.) www.PCSChicago.org , Pankaj Kapoor
of United Taxidrivers Community Council, and Mr. Sayed Khozindar interim
director of United Taxidrivers Community Council.
The film was co-produced by Preet Mohan Singh of SALDEF, Naomi Walker of ITVS organized the screening. The event was sponsored by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, The Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII), The Taxi Workers Organizing Project, American Friends Service Committee, ITVS and WTTW Channel 11.
Photo Captions:
Rajinder Singh Mago of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago with Tami Yeager the Director/Producer of “A Dream in Doubt” at the advance screening of the film at Chicago Cultural Center on April 19.
The discussion panel before screening of the documentary film “A Dream in Doubt” at Chicago Cultural Center (Claudia Cassidy Theater) on April 19, 2008. (L to R) Mr. Sayed Khozindar, Tami Yeager, Rajinder Singh Mago, Mr. Pankaj Kapoor,
The discussion panel after screening of the documentary film “A Dream in Doubt” at Chicago Cultural Center (Claudia Cassidy Theater) on April 19, 2008. (L to R) Mr. Sayed Khozindar, Mr. Pankaj Kapoor, Rajinder Singh Mago, Tami Yeager
A Sikh member of the audience Satnaam Singh Mago
contributing to the lively discussion after screening of the documentary
film “A Dream in Doubt” at Chicago Cultural Center (Claudia Cassidy
Theater) on April 19, 2008.
