Senators bought and sold by powerful private interests. Public policy cynically manipulated to rip off constituents. Flagrant abuse of the public trust and tenacious advocates battling for the public interest, despite entrenched opposition.
No, I’m not describing the policy battles happening in Congress today. I’m talking about the 1939 Frank Capra film starring Jimmy Stewart, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. As part of DC Labor’s Whistleblower Film Series this October, Public Citizen is sponsoring a screening of this classic at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Capitol Visitor Center (underground on the east side of the Capitol at First Street and East Capitol Street NE).
At the screening, Public Citizen’s Angela Canterbury will introduce members of Congress who sponsored the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement legislation: Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA), Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) (invited). (Learn more about whistleblower protections here).
So come on out and say hello!
As for the rest of the Whistleblower Film Series, here’s the full schedule:
Thursday, October 1: The Pentagon Wars
Thursday, October 8: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Thursday, October 15: Silkwood
Thursday, October 22: The Insider
Thursday, October 29: The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
