ROGERS PARK — The Rogers Park premiere of Spike Lee's film "Chi-Raq" on Thursday at the New 400 Theatre will be followed by a post-movie discussion of the violence facing the neighborhood.
The screening is one of 300 taking place around the country a day before the movie's official release nationwide.
"I have not seen the movie, but its release couldn't have been more timely," Ald. Joe Moore (49th) wrote to residents. "The video of Laquan McDonald's shooting death at the hands of the police, the arrest of the alleged killers of nine-year-old Tyshawn Lee, and the recent gang-related shootings right here in Rogers Park bring into sharp focus the insidious effect of violence in all its ugly forms."
The most recent shooting in Rogers Park was the Nov. 14 slaying of Eric Jordan, 25, in a community park outside a resource expo being held by a state official.
Among those on the panel Thursday are Sullivan High School's Chad Adams; Charles Hardwick, the director of of Howard Area Community Center's education and employment program; and Dan McNeil, the director of Family Matters, a boys' youth program. Moore also said he planned to include "young people" as well.
Residents can buy tickets for the 7 p.m. event for $20, which includes the movie, a soft drink, popcorn and the panel discussion. Moore said the event was likely to sell out.
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