This powerful documentary introduces the words of the 13^th Amendment of the United States Constitution: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” 13^th argues that although slavery was ostensibly abolished in 1865, this clause of the Thirteenth Amendment legally embedded and allowed a pernicious form of enslavement into American institutions. This loophole has since been wielded as a devastating political tool in the form of mass incarceration and criminalization.

A discussion will follow the film. If you are interested in the program or want to find out more, please contact Melissa at the Ukiah Library: 467-6434 or carrm@co.mendocino.ca.us  This event is free and open to all mature teens & adults.

This event is the first in a series offered by the Mendocino County Library, Ukiah branch c/o a Book-to-Action grant we received from the California State Library.