Present ‘63 BOYCOTT A film by Rachel Dickson, Tracye A. Matthews, and Gordon Quinn Why 250,000 Chicagoans fought for racial equity in schools – and how the struggle continues today. Distributor: Bullfrog Films Run Time: 31 minutes Language: English Education: http://bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/63boy.html Community Screenings: https://63boycott.bullfrogcommunities.com Contact: Alex Hoskyns-Abrahall, 610-779-8226,
[email protected] Press Stills / Poster Synopsis In 1963, 250,000 students boycotted the Chicago Public Schools to protest racial segregation. '63 Boycott connects the forgotten story of one of the largest Northern civil rights demonstrations to contemporary issues around race, education, and youth activism. Please note: our preference is for public-facing materials to credit "A film by Rachel Dickson, Tracye A. Matthews, Gordon Quinn" even though Gordon Quinn is the sole Director credited. More about the film On October 22, 1963, more than 250,000 students boycotted the Chicago Public Schools 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. Filmmaker Statements In 1963 Jerry Temaner, Stan Karter, and I were students at the University of Chicago. We would later form Kartemquin Films in 1966.