MN05970266
POINT OF ATTACK
Directed by Kathleen Foster

This timely documentary chronicles the post-9/11 racial profiling, large scale round-ups, detentions and mass deportations of Arab, Muslim and South Asian men as part of the government's "War on Terrorism." Interviews with detainees who tell about their arrest and detention, a mandatory special registration program that is imposed on Muslims, flights across the Canadian Border, and mass deportations overseas give a chilling view of their ordeal. The documentary frames the plight of these immigrant communities within the context of the US government's "other war" against civil liberties that is being waged via the USA Patriot Act. This sweeping legislation gives the government new powers to increase domestic intelligence gathering and surveillance and simultaneously to decrease judicial review and public access to information. Although the "point of attack" of such legislation may be specific immigrant groups, the broader implications, detailing the undermining of basic freedoms for everyone, are explored. The film highlights the collective efforts of immigration lawyers, students and community activists to provide legal and financial help to the imprisoned men and their families while mobilizing resistance to the growing attack on civil liberties.

Reviews
~ "This hard-hitting indictment of racial and ethnic profiling in the U.S. paints a shocking picture of the erosion of personal freedom in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The film's message is both important and frightening." ¨C Booklist

~ "This important film is a damning indictment of how the government over-reacted after 9/11, singling out and targeting people who had nothing to do with terrorism. It should have the widest possible distribution and viewing by the American public." - Abdeen Jabara, Civil Rights Attorney and Former President of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

~ "The program's moving message isn't diluted by flashy technical gimmicks; it's simply a high-quality documentary examination of a topic which needs our society's constant attentionĦ­. A timely addition to a media collection and potential classroom teacher favorite in contemporary issues courses or any others in which today's topics are discussed." ¨CSchool Library Journal

Note
~ American Library Association, Notable Video, 2005
DVD (Color)
46 minutes
2004
 
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