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Film Screening at Putney Library This Thursday! The Letter: An American Town and the ‘Somali Invasion’

The Putney Public Library, in partnership with Lost River Social Justice, presents a film screening and facilitated discussion on Thursday, October 27th at 6:30pm. The 2003 documentary, The Letter, tells the story of the mill town of Lewiston, Maine, and Mayor Laurier T. Raymond’s open letter to the growing Somali community, predicting negative impacts on the city’s social services because of Somali resettlement. The letter sparked a number of public protests, including a white supremacist group supporting the mayor, and a concurrent counter-demonstration by 4,000 people at Bate College.

The themes from The Letter remain resonant with today’s news stories, from Syrian refugees resettling in Rutland, VT, to the debate during the presidential election about building a “wall” to control immigration. Stay after the film for a facilitated discussion about refugees, immigration, and resettlement, with a focus on Northern New England and Vermont.

Snacks will be served!

Putney Library is located at 55 Main Street in Putney, VT. This program is free and open to the public.