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Homelessness in Brown County discussed

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Public Library hosts a film screening and discussion of homelessness in Brown County beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.

The newly-released dramatic film “The Public” highlights the role a library played in serving its city’s homeless population. The 119-minute film cast includes Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, Emilio Estevez, Garbrielle Union, Taylor Schilling, Jacob Vargas, Michael Kenneth Williams and Jeffrey Wright.

Theatrically released in the United States by Universal Pictures on April 5, 2019, the movie plot centers on a large group of homeless library patrons who refuse to leave a downtown public library at closing time after learning emergency shelters are full during brutally cold weather.

A non-violent, Occupy-style sit-in and civil disobedience act becomes a standoff with riot police.

Filmed in Cincinnati in January 2017, the PG-13 movie was described by Rotten Tomatoes as “an earnest and reasonably engaging social advocacy drama,” according to Rotten Tomatoes.

After the movie, a number of agency leaders will help facilitate discussion on their services to the homeless in Brown County.

Facilitators include Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) Homelessness Prevention Supportive Services Counselor Kate Hengy-Gretz, retired Brown County Human Services Director Tom Henderson, NUMAS Haus Shelter Coordinator Karla Diehn and NUMAS Haus Board President and Nora Unitarian Universalist Church Pastor Lisa Doege.

Call the New Ulm Public Library for more information at 507-359-8331.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

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