Law and order, via ‘Riotsville, USA’ – Roll Call

Podcasts

Law and order, via ‘Riotsville, USA’

Political Theater, Episode 264

Milk is poured into a demonstrator's eyes to neutralize the effect of pepper spray as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd near the White House on May 31, 2020. Protests over civil rights and countermeasures against them are the focus on the documentary "Riotsville, USA." — Milk is poured into a demonstrator's eyes to neutralize the effect of pepper spray as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd near the White House on May 31, 2020. Protests over civil rights and countermeasures against them are the focus on the documentary "Riotsville, USA." (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

By Jason Dick

Posted September 15, 2022 at 9:23am

Filmmaker Sierra Pettengill’s documentary “Riotsville, USA” examines the history of the government’s efforts to crack down on protest movements. The title refers to the ersatz towns the military built for counter-protest training, and the film’s archival approach is a chronicle and meditation on politics then and now.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., worked with stakeholders to clarify his amendment ahead of floor vote.

Hunting enthusiasts notch farm bill win with greyhound ban fix

At the Races: Virginia is for voters

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer arrives for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. A White House spokesman Monday confirmed Chavez-DeRemer would resign.

Chavez-DeRemer exiting Trump Cabinet amid misconduct investigations

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will play a central role in the Republican push to pass an immigration-focused reconciliation bill. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Budget resolution for immigration funding headed to Senate floor

A worker takes a break on scaffolding outside of Russell Senate Office Building on Monday.

Congress searches for path on surveillance authority renewal

Pennsylvania Rep. Madeleine Dean, center — seen at a news conference at the Capitol on April 9 — has previously voiced objections about the lack of guidelines for an American First Opportunity Fund in the State Department's budget.

Congress may again curtail ‘America First’ funding request for State