Copyright Paramount Pictures
Bloomington mayor and political science expert Tari Renner will offer insights on a crucial chapter in U.S. civil rights Friday in anticipation of the film "Selma"s arrival in the Twin Cities.
During Friday's biweekly City of Bloomington mayoral open house, at 4 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers, 109 E. Olive St., Renner will discuss the Selma-to-Montgomery march -- the seminal basis for the new Martin Luther King Jr. biopic "Selma" -- and the lasting impact of the federal Voter's Rights Act of 1965.
Those are familiar topics for Renner, a political science professor with Illinois Wesleyan University. Dr. Renner, who also served on the faculties of Duquesne University and Washington College, was hired to chair IWU's poli-sci department in 1994.
His research interests have focused on local government policy-making structures and American elections. Renner received his Ph.D. and M.A. in political science from American University.
"Since race and southern politics are among my research and teaching interests, I'm hoping to help educate the community on the eve of the release of the movie "Selma" on Friday," Renner related.
The regular open house, an opportunity for residents to study the workings and latest activities of Bloomington government, will resume at 4:30 p.m.
"Selma" chronicles the three-month period in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo) led a campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.
Oprah Winfrey appears in the film as civil rights activist Annie Lee Cooper. For more information about the film, visit www.selmamovie.com. For a movie preview, visit Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6t7vVTxaic
"Selma" will be screened at Wehrenberg Bloomington Galaxy 14 Cine and Starplex Cinemas Normal Stadium 14. Check theater listings for times.
