Li Lu, Director and Producer,
A Town Called Victoria
When the local mosque is burned to the ground in an apparent hate crime, the town of Victoria must overcome its age-old political, racial, and economic divides to find a collective way forward.
A Town Called Victoria is a Reel South and Independent Lens co-production. Indie Lens Pop-Up will screen Episode 1.
EPISODES:
Episode 1: A south Texas town is thrown into the national spotlight when a local mosque erupts in flames in an apparent hate crime. After the media moves on, the community is left to reflect on its complex history with racism.
Episode 2: With the arson trial near, the suspect’s family argues his innocence. Meanwhile, facets of Victoria reveal the ingredients that might have turned him to hate while support for the town’s Muslim community begins to wane.
Episode 3: The prosecution presents shocking evidence, but unexpected revelations throw the trial’s outcome into question. In the aftermath, the citizens of Victoria seek a way to build a more inclusive community.
Leaders in the Muslim community, including Imams, elders from local mosques, and leaders of local nonprofits
Local or nearby interfaith organization and arrange an interfaith discussion with leaders from many faiths who have experience creating safe spaces in their places of worship
CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), which has chapters in many US communities, some providing legal counsel for civil rights cases
the Muslim American Society, which has many chapters across the US states
the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America), which fosters the developments of the Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic engagement, and better understanding of Islam
Emgage, an organization that educates and mobilizes Muslim American voters
ICNA Relief USA seeks to alleviate human suffering by providing caring and comppassionate service to victims of adversity and survivors of disassters
the Muslim Conterpublics Lab is a grassroots, community-building organziation that uses the tools o fresearch, writing, and organizing that also offers direct, victim-centered practices
the International Institute for Restorative Practices, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the first accredited graduate school solely focused on the field of restorative practices
the ACLU's Know your Rights: Religious Freedom provdies information to help those facing religious discrimination in the workplace
MuslimARC works to create impactful anti-racism programming and education resources for leaders of different races and faiths
The American Association of Colleges and Universities, which has partnered with Interfaith America to advance interfaith cooperation, provides multiple resources