Addison County’s fledgling anti-racism organization, Showing Up for Racial Justice, is delighted to be offering another film screening at the Marquis Theater in downtown Middlebury, on Sunday, May 21, at 7 pm. The film, The Long Ride, tells the story of the historic 2003 Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride that sparked the birth of the new Civil Rights Movement for immigrant workers in the United States. 

In 2003, alarmed by increasing workplace abuses, more than 900 immigrants and allies boarded buses in 10 U.S. cities (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Minneapolis, Chicago, Miami and Boston). These buses traveled across America to focus public attention on the plight of immigrant workers and to call for reform of the broken immigration system. They were inspired by the 1961 Civil Rights Movement Freedom Riders who risked their lives fighting to end segregation. The film chronicles the 12-day journey taken by 106 Freedom Riders from Northern California. The Middlebury showing of The Long Ride follows the successful international premieres in Oakland, Chicago, New York, and Austin. 

The 74 minute long film will be followed by a moderated panel discussion, featuring film director Valerie Lapin, as well as representatives from Migrant Justice and the Open Door Clinic. There is a ten dollar suggested donation, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The proceeds raised will benefit Migrant Justice and the Open Door Clinic.