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

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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:

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