Not In Our Town, El Sobrante, a group of local residents that is part a national movement aiming to rid communities of all forms of intolerance, is set to host a screening for the film Light in the Darkness on Monday, Nov. 18.
The free event, which will be followed by a discussion with local resident and author Dr. Becki Cohn-Vargas, will take place at the Elks Lodge, 3931 San Pablo Dam Road, at 6:30 p.m.
The film, about a community in crisis after the fatal attack of a local immigrant resident, is being shown as part of United Against Hate Week (Bay Area United Against Hate Week Nov. 17-23), “seven days of local civic action by people in every Bay Area community to stop the hate and biases that are a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our communities,” organizers said.
The event is occurring in the wake of what the El Sobrante group called a victory over intolerance in their town. This past summer, an El Sobrante resident legally built a giant concrete swastika on his front yard, leading to protest by neighbors including El Sobrante Courageous Resistance. An online petition created by Not In Our Town El Sobrante garnered over 47,000 signatures. The pressure resulted in the man covering the swastika in gravel, the group said.
“El Sobrante stands with many other communities who have taken a strong stand against bigotry and hate wherever it rears its ugly head, sending a clear message “No Hate, Not In Our Town,” group members said in a statement.
Not In Our Town, El Sobrante creates signs for residents and businesses to display that state, “Not In Our Town. No Hate in El Sobrante. Respect for All.” For more information and updates, follow Not IN Our Town, El Sobrante’s Facebook page here. To request a sign, message the group on Facebook.