“Las Madres de Berks” Documentary Screening

Visual Artist, Michelle Angela Ortiz will be screening her short documentary, “Las Madres de Berks”, as part of her “Familias Separadas” public art project which amplifies the stories of families affected by detention and deportation in Pennsylvania.

“Las Madres de Berks” documentary shares the testimonials of four mothers that were detained for 2 years with their children at The Berks County Residential Center, a family prison in Pennsylvania. The documentary also features the artworks that Ortiz created based on the Berks mother’s stories that were unveiled in Harrisburg during a statewide action against family detention led by her community partner, the Shut Down Berks Coalition. The screening will be followed by a talkback to learn ways to take action to end family detention.

This screening is presented in partnership with the Shut Down Berks Coalition and the Lancaster Public Library. The screenings are made possible with support by The Fleischner Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation, Free Migration Project, Leeway Foundation, and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.