CHATHAM — Ava DuVernay’s new film, “Selma,” has captured the nation’s attention, including Rev. Michael Pfleger’s of St. Sabina Church. The minister and community advocate has rented out two theaters at the ICE Chatham Movie Theatre this weekend for his congregation.
He said he chose to hold the outing on Saturday at 1 p.m. to help celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. Pfleger said he also wants to use Selma as a teaching device.
“This movie allows us to do what has not been going on enough, which is the teaching and passing down of history,” he said.
“So many of our young people know Dr. King and his 'I have a Dream' [speech], but that’s it, they don’t know the struggle, the fight, they don’t know what happened during the Civil Rights movement,” he said.
It has been 50 years since King and hundreds of activists marched from Selma, Ala. to Montgomery, Ala. Pfleger said it’s important for people to recognize that anniversary and really understand what it means to make change happen.
“It is extremely significant that we see and draw the connection of what is happening now versus then and realize that you don’t bring about change without the struggle and sacrifice,” he said.
With nearly 600 people signing up to attend the screening, the event is sold out, Pfleger said, but there is a waiting list. If people are interested in signing up, they can contact the church at 773-483-4300.
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