BELLOWS FALLS-In honor of the civil rights work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King to create justice for all, Bellows Falls Films will kick off its independent filmmaker series on Monday, Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - at 7 p.m. with the 2004 film Here Am I, Send Me: The Journey of Jonathan Daniels by Larry Benaquist and Bill Sullivan, formerly of Keene State College.
Daniels grew up in Keene, New Hampshire, and joined the NAACP in 1963. One year later, as a 26-year-old seminary student, he traveled south to join King's call to help register African American voters in Alabama. He befriended many others who were committed to the civil rights movement, including 17-year-old Ruby Sales, a young black woman who worked beside him.
In 1965, Daniels was killed by Tom Coleman, a highway worker and part-time deputy sheriff, in Hayneville, Alabama, while shielding Sales, thus saving her life while sacrificing his own. King called his sacrifice "one of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry and career for civil rights."
In 1991, Daniels was designated as a martyr in the Episcopal church and is recognized annually in its calendar.
Filmmaker Benaquist will attend the screening and conduct a Q&A following the 80-minute film, told largely in Daniels's own words. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit bellowsfallsoperahouse.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.