DATE: Sunday, August 6th
TIME: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Plaza Theatre
PRICE: FREE

Mia Donovan’s documentary Dope is Death closely follows The Black Panthers’ role in combating drug addiction in 1960s-70s Bronx. Mutulu Shakur pioneered treating heroin addicts with acupuncture, and was later arrested for racketeering. After serving 37 years in prison, Mutulu is free on compassionate release, as he lives through battling bone cancer.

After serving 37 years in prison, Mutulu was freed on December 22,2022 on compassionate release, as he lived through battling bone cancer. He passed away July 7, 2023.

In 1973, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, along with fellow Black Panthers and the Young Lords, combined community health with radical politics to create the first acupuncture detoxification program in America. This form of radical harm reduction was a revolutionary act toward the government programs that transfixed the lives of black and brown communities throughout the South Bronx. Dope is Death utilizes an abundant archive while giving us insight into how the acupuncture clinic rose to prominence and, despite funding challenges, still functions to this day. Some of those who benefited from the program became acupuncturists themselves. Dr. Mutulu's legacy is cemented within this profound story of community healing and activism.

Both Mia Donovan and Dr. Mutulu Shakur have requested to screen Dope is Death in Atlanta, as an ode to his activism in Atlanta.

Extended conversation will take place following the screening with Director Mia Donovan and special guests.

Doors will open at 4:00 pm and the screening will begin after 5:00 pm.

Tickets are free to all. Donations for Dr. Skakur's family can be made to the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement at the event.