Film Viewing & Discussion: Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty

Environmental Justice film screening October 10

The film “Stewart Udall and the Politics of Beauty.” tells the inspiring story of Stewart L. Udall (1920-2010) and his legacy as an advocate of social and environmental justice.  No American political figure is as relevant to the issues we face today as a nation – learning to work together, achieving racial and environmental justice, improving international relations, enhancing beauty and the arts, alleviating climate change and moving toward sustainability – as Stewart Udall, Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Udall was a pioneer in environmentalism; he was the first public official to speak out about global warming.  He worked collaboratively with native communities and fought to win compensation for Navajo Indians and “downwinders” who got cancer from their exposure to radiation during the Cold War without being warned of the dangers. Today, in our now deeply partisan environment, the film reveals a time when Americans were not yet so polarized, when big ideas could still capture bipartisan attention, and when America awakened to the unfolding destruction of paradise and determined to stop it.

Race Reels, Progressive Watertown and Watertown Faces Climate Change are proud to be sponsoring this film in this season of celebrating Indigenous people and contemplating our national election.  Join us at the Watertown Library on Thursday, October 10 for pizza at 6, film at 6:30 followed by discussion with Britteny Jenkins, Vice President of Environmental Justice at the Conservation Law Foundation.

Free to the Public. Sponsored by Race Reels, Progressive Watertown, and Watertown Faces Climate Change.

Short Film Viewing & Discussion: Deciding Vote

Over 50 years ago, New York State Assemblyman George Michaels cast a single vote that changed the course of American history and destroyed his political career. The documentary short film “Deciding Vote” tells the story of how Michaels cast the critical tie-breaking vote on a bill which legalized abortion in the state of New York, laying the groundwork for Roe v. Wade. The film is a moving tribute to an act of political courage. It was short-listed for an Oscar in 2023 and has been nominated for an Emmy in 2024.

In addition to the film, the event will include several speakers, including filmmaker Rob Lyons, film participant (and daughter-in-law of George Michaels) Sarah Michaels, Jesse Mermell, Carrie Baker, JD, PhD, and individuals working as patient escorts at Planned Parenthood clinics.

The event is free to attend. Light refreshments will be served, and there will be a cash bar.

This event is co-sponsored by Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County, the Middlesex-Norfolk-Worcester Democratic Alliance, and the Democratic Town Committees from Bellingham, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn, and Wrentham.