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UID:Indybay-18843946
SEQUENCE:19002913
CREATED:20210725T165600Z
DESCRIPTION:Film Showing & Discussion\nFists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer 
 Games\n\nAt the Olympics in 1968, US sprinters Tommy Smith and John 
 Carlos, medalists in the 200-meter race, raised their fists on the victory 
 stand in defiance of the oppression of Black people and of people 
 everywhere, inspiring people across the planet who were rising up. 
 \n\nBut the authorities forced them out of the Olympics and viciously 
 hounded them. They were harassed for years and had difficulty finding work. 
 The third person on the victory stand, Peter Norman, a white Australian, 
 fully supported their actions and was persecuted in Australia. \n \nThis 
 film, using rare footage, archival photos and interviews with key figures 
 from the era, is the story of how and why they did what they did.  \n 
 \nThere is a very important historical resonance between the Tokyo Olympics 
 today and 1968. From Colin Kaepernick to NBA teams to athletes in many 
 arenas, this is a time when many people have been standing up against 
 oppression, especially that of Black people.\n\nThe reactionaries who run 
 the International Olympic Committee threatened to punish any political 
 protests in Tokyo on the victory stand. But when athletes wave the American 
 flag and declare their love for the USA, that isn't considered 
 “political.” Any athlete at the games who makes public protests, 
 especially on the victory stand, should be supported and defended from 
 punishment.\n \nAn even more important parallel: 1968 was the “mad 
 year” – with worldwide revolt against the old order, revolutions in 
 many countries, and mass rebellion in the US.  Today, in the US, this 
 system is in real trouble, caught up in crisis and conflicts for which it 
 has no easy or lasting solutions. Throughout this country the workings of 
 this system have given rise to deep divisions which cannot be resolved 
 under this system. Society is being ripped apart. Those who rule are locked 
 in a bitter fight among themselves, and they cannot hold things together in 
 the way they have in the past. And there have been very powerful rebellions 
 against the police murder of Black people. This is a situation which could 
 lead to a revolution. \n\nWe need to learn all we can from 1968 to make the 
 most of this rare situation we are now entering.\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2021/07/25/18843946.php
SUMMARY:Film: Fists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer Games
LOCATION:Revolution Books, 2444 Durant Ave. Berkeley CA 94704
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2021/07/25/18843946.php
DTSTART:20210801T010000Z
DTEND:20210801T030000Z
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