The Liberty Square public housing community in Miami becomes ground zero for climate gentrification
Join WXXI for a special FREE screening and discussion of Razing Liberty Square, a film by Katja Esson. Liberty City, Miami, was home to one of the oldest segregated public housing projects in the U.S. Now with rising sea levels, the neighborhood’s higher ground has become something else: real estate gold. Wealthy property owners push inland to higher ground, creating a speculators’ market in the historically Black neighborhood previously ignored by developers and policy-makers alike.
Indie Lens Pop-Up presents this free screening:
On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
At The Little Theatre, Theatre 5
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
The film will be followed by a panel discussion.
Moderator: Mary Lupien, Rochester City Council Member, is passionate about preserving a livable climate through policy, increasing safe, stable and affordable housing and fighting poverty and institutional racism. For many years, Mary was an organizer with Mothers Out Front, a group working to inspire bold climate action and mobilize the community to achieve a sustainable future for our children. She has also focused on community efforts to halt displacement and create access to quality, affordable housing and Mary has supported efforts to Re-imagine how her city provides Public Safety to the community in a way that keeps all residents safe.
Panelists:
Scott C. Benjamin, President & CEO, Charles Settlement House & Community Place of Greater Rochester;
Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, DSW, LMSW, Executive Director, Connected Communities, Inc.
Panelists Bios:
Scott Benjamin, CEO of Charles Settlement House & Community Place of Greater Rochester: Scott has been in the non-profit human services field for 29 years, working at The Salvation Army, Charles Settlement House and The Community Place of Greater Rochester. Charles Settlement House & Community Place formerly affiliated in 2021. Prior to entering the human services sphere, Scott worked in radio and TV news for 18 years. He is the co-chair of the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Center for Community Health & Prevention Community Advisory Council. He is also a board member of the Rochester Community Transportation Foundation, a board member of the Settlement Houses of Rochester Foundation, and past president of the Rochester Northwest Rotary Club. Scott is a graduate of the Leadership Rochester program.
Watch the Trailer:
Learn More: Film Website
PBS Independent Lens: Razing Liberty Square
About Indie Lens Pop-Up
Indie Lens Pop-Up is a community series that brings people together for film screenings and conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws local residents, leaders, and organizations to discuss what matters most. Learn more at pbs.org/indielenspopup
Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS App. For more visit pbs.org/independentlens.
