LMHS to Host Discussion of the Film “The Central Park Five” featuring Dr. Yusef Salaam

Linn-Mar High School and the Privilege Institute invite you to a preview and discussion of the award winning film, The Central Park Five.

The event will take place Thursday, September 6th in the Linn-Mar High School Little Theater. Doors will open at 5:45, the presentation will run from 6 to 9 PM. Guests are asked to use door one, the auditorium entrance to the building.

The evening will feature Dr. Yusef Salaam of The Central Park Five, along with special guest moderator Dr. Frederick Gooding, Jr., and others.

On April 19, 1989, a young woman in the prime of her life was brutally raped and left for dead in one of New York City’s most iconic spaces, Central Park. Five teens from Harlem—four black and one Latino—were tried and convicted of the crime in one of the most frenzied cases in the city’s history. The woman was dubbed the “Central Park jogger,” and the accused teens became known collectively as the “Central Park Five.” One of those boys, Yusef Salaam, was just 15-years-old when his life was upended and changed forever.

In 2002, after the Central Park Five spent between 7 and 13 years of their lives behind bars, the sentences of the boys—now men—were overturned, and the Central Park Five were fully exonerated.

Ten years later, Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns, his daughter Sarah Burns, and her husband David McMahon released the award-winning film, The Central Park Five.

Since his release more than 20 years ago, Yusef has become a family man, father, poet, activist, and inspirational speaker. He has committed himself to advocate and educate people on the issues of mass incarceration, police brutality and misconduct, false confessions, press ethics and bias, race and law, and the disparities in America’s criminal justice system, especially for young men of color.

His most recent awards have included a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama (2016), an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Anointed by God Ministries Alliance & Seminary (2014), and a long list of Proclamations – most notably from the New York City Council (2013).

Please join us as we learn more about the CP5 experience and other issues related to grit, incarceration, corruption, forgiveness, truth, reconciliation, community, and love.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Associate Principal Steve Goodall at (319) 730-3620, in advance.

Remember, no food or drink is allowed in the Little Theater.