The Battle for whiteclay: A Screening and discussion at the new school with director Mark Vasina
and Film's lead activist frank lamere

New School President Bob Kerrey welcomes filmmaker Mark Vasina and Native American activist Frank LaMere, who invite you to a screening and discussion of their documentary, The Battle for Whiteclay. The film provides an in-depth look at a century-old problem: the State of Nebraska’s refusal to halt alcohol sales to the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from the neighboring town of Whiteclay.

Struggling with crippling poverty and epidemic alcohol abuse that afflicts four out of five families, Pine Ridge’s Oglala Sioux have for decades banned the sale and possession of alcohol on their reservation. Still, four off-sale beer stores in the 14-person hamlet of Whiteclay sell more than 11,000 cans of beer a day to tribe members, though there is virtually no lawful place in Whiteclay to drink alcohol.

The Battle for Whiteclay follows Indian activists Frank LaMere, Duane Martin, Sr., and Russell Means through the streets of Whiteclay to the halls of Nebraska’s State Capitol as they battle to end alcohol sales in the place many have dubbed “skid row on the prairie.” The film includes a reading of a letter President Kerrey wrote to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission in support of the community’s cause.

Opening Remarks: Bob Kerrey, President, The New School

Discussants: Mark Vasina, Filmmaker of The Battle for Whiteclay
Frank LaMere, Native American Activist

Wednesday, November 4, 6:00–9:00 p.m. Discussion to follow.

The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011.

Admission is free, but please register at: http://whiteclay.eventbrite.com/.