Hosted by: Metropolitan Planning Council and Kartemquin Films
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Still from '63 Boycott © Kartemquin Films
This event is sold out. Due to capacity limitations, we will not accept any walk-ins.
On October 22, 1963, more than 250,000 students boycotted the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to protest racial segregation. Many marched through the city calling for the resignation of School Superintendent Benjamin Willis, who placed trailers, dubbed ‘Willis Wagons,’ on playgrounds and parking lots of overcrowded black schools rather than let them enroll in nearby white schools. Blending unseen 16mm footage of the march shot by Kartemquin founder Gordon Quinn with the participants’ reflections today, ’63 Boycott connects the forgotten story of one of the largest northern civil rights demonstrations to contemporary issues around race, education, school closings, and youth activism.
Join the Metropolitan Planning Council and Kartemquin Films for a film screening and panel discussion on the 1963 CPS student boycott and present-day activism driving racial equity in education.
Introduction
Panel Discussion
Doors open at 5 p.m. The program will begin at 5:30 p.m., with time to mingle before and after. The cost of the event is $15, which includes snacks and beverages.
Sponsorship opportunities for this event are available! For more information, contact:
Janet Myers
Vice President of Philanthropy
jmyers@metroplanning.org
312.863.6010