Immigrant Voices Film Series: And Then They Came for Us | La Peña Cultural Center
Arts
Film
Immigrant Voices Film Series: And Then They Came for Us
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | Doors open: 7:00 PM | Screening at 7:30 PM | Runtime: 40min.
Sliding Scale Tickets
: $10-$25 | Pay what you can | Benefit for
Tsuru for Solidarity
Join us for the screening of
And Then They Came for Us
, directed by Abby Ginsberg and Ken Schneider, as part of the
Immigrant Voices Film Series
at La Peña Cultural Center.
About the Film
Seventy-eight years ago, Executive Order 9066 led to the unjust incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans, violating their constitutional rights.
And Then They Came for Us
features George Takei and others who were incarcerated, as well as rediscovered photographs by Dorothea Lange. The film brings this painful history into the present, highlighting the voices of Japanese American activists who speak out against modern-day injustices like the Muslim registry and travel ban.
This powerful documentary reminds us that understanding our history is the first step toward preventing its repetition.
And Then They Came for Us
serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspiring call to action in these challenging times.
As George Takei, actor and activist, says:
"It was a failure of American democracy, and yet because most Americans are not aware of that dark chapter of American history, it's about to be repeated."
After the screening
, stay for a moderated community discussion.
Learn more about upcoming film screenings at
Lapena.info/Immigrant-Voices
(case-sensitive).
Presented by
Friends of La Peña Immigrant Rights Committee
and
La Peña Cultural Center
For more information or questions:
FLPIR.org
About the Directors:
Abby Ginzberg
co-producer/co-director
Abby Ginsberg is a Peabody Award-winning director and Emmys® Silver Circle inductee with over 35 years of experience in producing documentaries on race and social justice. Her film
And Then They Came for Us
(2017), featuring George Takei, connects the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII to the Trump administration’s Muslim travel ban, raising critical questions about civil liberties. Abby's films are distributed for educational use through Women Make Movies, Good Docs, and California Newsreel, and for personal use on platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Vimeo.
Ken Schneider
co-producer/co-director
Ken Schneider has edited over 35 documentaries on war, human rights, artists' lives, and contemporary social issues. He co-edited the Oscar-nominated
Regret to Inform
, and his work has appeared on PBS, HBO, Showtime, and at major film festivals. His films have won multiple Emmys, Peabodys, and other prestigious awards. Ken also lectures at NYU, Harvard, and other universities. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and two children.
Learn more about the film:
www.thentheycamedoc.com
Accessibility:
La Peña is a wheelchair-accessible venue with step-less entry, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.
Restrooms are all-gender
Masks are strongly encouraged. If you’re experiencing COVID-19, cold, or flu-like symptoms, please consider staying home to protect our community. HEPA air purifiers operate throughout our space.
We strive to make La Peña a welcoming, accessible space for everyone. For accommodation requests, please contact us at least one week in advance, and we’ll do our best to support you. Email us at
info@Lapena.org.
Getting to La Peña:
Public Transit:
The 18 bus line stops directly across the street (Shattuck & Woolsey), and Ashby BART is just two blocks away.
Parking:
Free street parking is available, or park at the Ashby BART station for a fee.
Bike-Friendly:
Bike racks are available outside La Peña.
La Peña Membership
Become a La Peña member today! Enjoy a 25% discount on tickets to this event, plus access to other exclusive perks. Learn more at:
Lapena.org/members
Information Source: La Peña Cultural Center | eventbrite