More than 100 guests gathered at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago for a screening of two recent Not In Our Town films, Waking in Oak Creek [1] and A Prosecutor’s Stand [2]. The Feb. 25 screening was sponsored by The Reva & David Logan Foundation [3], a longtime supporter of Not In Our Town's work.

Following the screening, Not In Our Town Executive Producer Patrice O’Neill led a panel discussion with featured cast members from Waking in Oak Creek, including Sikh Temple of Wisconsin members Pardeep Kaleka, Kanwar Kaleka, Kamal Singh, Oak Creek, WI Mayor Steve Scaffidi, and former Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy. Cook County, IL State’s Attorney Joy Repella and representatives from the Chicago Police Department were also in attendance to share their perspectives and join the discussion of how to take action and prevent hate.

Attendees of the screening were touched by the films. “Waking in Oak Creek was so compelling. The town showed great courage, love and determination to grow stronger after experiencing a terrible, violent hate crime. It left me speechless,” said Tanya Pietrkowski, as reported by Sunthar Visuvalingam for News India Times [4].

Patrice O'Neill also appeared on Fox 32 that morning to spread awareness about Not In Our Town. [5]

Bring these films to your today today. Here on NIOT.org, you can request a screening DVD of Waking in Oak Creek [1] and A Prosecutor's Stand [2]. Slideshow photos by The Working Group and News India Times reporter Sunthar Visuvalingam.