Overview
The Letter: An American Town and the 'Somali Invasion' (2003)Seventh Art Stand
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, a firestorm erupted when Mayor Larry Raymond of Lewiston, Maine, sent a letter to 1,100 newly-arrived Somali refugees advising that the city's resources are strained to the limit and asking that other Somalis not to move to the city. Interpreted as racism by some and a rallying cry by white supremacist groups across the United States, that letter led to this documentary, which shows the crossfire of emotions and events, culminating in a "hate" rally convened by The World Church of the Creator and a counter "peace" rally involving 4,000 Lewiston residents supporting ethnic and cultural diversity.
Co-presented by the Islamic Society of Michiana and the Department of American Studies
