FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shareable 

Tom Llewellyn • (925) 876-2942 • [email protected]

Free Speech TV Contact

Nina Henderson Moore • (303) 542-4825 • [email protected]

Shareable and Free Speech TV to Host Virtual Screening and Discussion on Community Resiliency in a Crisis on Earth Day

The Response: How Puerto Ricans are Restoring Power to the People  

Denver, CO, April 9, 2020 — On the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Shareable and Free Speech TV (FSTV) are hosting a nationwide screening and panel discussion of The Response:  How Puerto Ricans are Restoring Power to the People on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 pm ET. The special will air on Free Speech TV (DISH 9415, DIRECTV 348, and stream on Roku, Apple TV, Sling TV and at freespeech.org).   The film explores the remarkable resilience among communities that arises in the aftermath of disasters, specifically after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.  The virtual screening will be followed by a live panel discussion on Zoom and FB Live hosted by producer Tom Llewellyn.  

“This film and conversation are acutely relevant to understand how marginalized communities can respond to governmental malpractice in the face of tragedy,” said Ron Williams, Executive Director of Free Speech TV. “In the midst of the ongoing COVID disaster, we are honored to work with Shareable and Tom Llewellyn to bring this amazing work forward and share a story that is in the end a powerful source of inspiration and hope.”    

An official selection of Earth Day Network’s 2020 Film Festival, the 30-minute award-winning “micro-budget” film explores the Mutual Aid Centers that sprung up across the island in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017. It gives voice to those involved in these bold grassroots relief efforts by sharing their stories of the devastating storm, the recovery, and the movement for popular power that emerged in response.

Shareable spent 18 months working with a dedicated team of filmmakers, writers, audio engineers, partners, and funders to share this story with the world. The film was produced with a micro-budget of $10,000 working with Puerto Rican filmmaker Juan C. Dávilla to create a documentary that is at turns sobering and inspiring. The film is based on an episode of Shareable’s “The Response” podcast about 

Hurricane Marie recovery efforts that was broadcast last year by 140 radio stations in Making Contact’s syndication network.

Despite the grave nature of this storm, which at the time many believed to be the worst disaster to hit the United States or its territories in the past 100 years.   For some, there is a deep joy that has accompanied the sadness; a feeling of solidarity and possibility that didn’t previously exist in the same way before the storm.

“This film acts as a reminder of how damaging climate-fueled disasters can be, in Puerto Rico and globally, while showcasing the heroic capacity of our communities in times of crisis,” said the film’s producer and narrator, Tom Llewellyn. “The global pandemic has highlighted how unprepared our local, state, and federal governments are to protect their inhabitants from the increasing number and intensification of disasters. We must learn from the mutual aid centers in Puerto Rico and develop resilience hubs in every neighborhood before the next major disruption occurs.”

Virtual Screening and panel discussion are scheduled as follows (ET)

• Earth Day – Wednesday, April 22, 2020  – 7 pm ET on Free Speech TV. Virtual screening with a live panel discussion immediately following. Register here to join the virtual screening and panel discussion or join on FB @freespeechtv: 
• The Response Broadcast only schedule  – 
  • Wed, 04/22/2020 – 7:00 pm
  • Sun, 04/26/2020 – 8:30 am
  • Sun, 04/26/2020 – 8:00 pm
  • Tue, 04/28/2020 – 7:00 pm
  • Wed, 04/29/2020 – 7:30 pm
  • Thu, 04/30/2020 – 9:00 pm
  • Sat, 05/02/2020 – 8:00 pm
  • Sun, 05/03/2020 – 12:00 pm
  • Sun, 05/03/2020 – 8:30 pm
  • Thu, 05/07/2020 – 9:00 pm

About Shareable 

Shareable is a nonprofit media outlet and action network that empowers people to share for a more resilient, equitable, and joyful world. www.shareable.net.  The Response is a podcast and documentary series exploring the remarkable communities that arise in the aftermath of disasters. Spanning the globe, each episode takes a deep dive into a unique location to uncover the under-reported stories that are hidden just beneath the surface of extraordinary events. www.shareable.net/the-response

About Free Speech TV

Free Speech TV is a national, independent, nonprofit news network committed to advancing progressive social change. As the alternative to media networks owned by billionaires, governments and corporations, Free Speech TV elevates unique perspectives through daily news programs, independent documentaries and special events coverage.

Free Speech TV reaches more than 38 million households nationally on DISH (channel 9415), DIRECTV (348), Sling TV, and over 150 community cable affiliates. Free Speech TV streams live 24/7 at freespeech.org, is available on-demand and streaming on Roku and Apple TV, and maintains an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Free Speech TV believes a more just and democratic world is possible when the media empowers people with the information they need to fight for what matters.