INGLEWOOD, January 15, 2008 – Assemblymember Curren Price (D- Inglewood) and Assemblymember Ted Lieu will host a special movie screening of Only the Brave at El Camino College’s Marsee Auditorium at 3:30 pm on January 19th.  Only the Brave depicts the true story of WWII’s all Japanese-American 100th/442nd RCT, who fought bravely for the U.S. while their families were held in interment camps.   “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. provided us with an invaluable framework for racial tolerance and social justice,” said Assemblymember Price. “This story, and the brave men that inspired it, is testimony to Dr. King’s legacy and his teachings that continue to inspire us.”    

In an effort to commemorate Dr. King’s work, a community discussion on race relations, social justice and tolerance will take place immediately following the movie screening.  Lane Nishikawa, who wrote, directed and produced Only the Brave, along with the cast members and special guests, will take part in the discussion and answer questions about the movie.

The event is sponsored in part by El Camino College, the Japanese American Citizen’s League, and KJLH Radio.  Numerous community leaders will co-host the event.  Among the co-hosts are Councilwoman Barbara Calhoun, Bishop George McKinney and LAUSD Superintendent, Vice Admiral David Brewer.   “I am honored that Assemblymember Lieu and so many members of the community are taking part in this event,” said Price. “The story of the 442nd RCT is similar to the patriotism in the face of prejudice that the Buffalo Soldiers endured; and in the spirit of Dr. King’s teachings, this is a wonderful opportunity for our communities to bridge social and ethnic divides and share our commonalities.”  

In further celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 19th, Assemblymember Price will take part in the City of Gardena’s MLK parade, the City of Inglewood’s MLK Parade (where he will walk alongside African American law enforcement officers) and Hollywood Park’s Kingdom Day Festival.  On January 21st, Price will participate in the City of Los Angeles’ Kingdom Day Parade.  On January 31st, Assemblymember Price will join newspaper publisher and community activist, Willie Brown, and a host of dignitaries to honor Supervisor Yvonne Burke, at The 2nd Annual Drum Major for Justice Award Ceremony. As part of his work with the California Legislative Black Caucus, Assemblymember Price introduced AJR 81, a resolution to commemorate the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which was jointly authored by every member of the California Legislative Black Caucus. The resolution marks a month of celebrations of Dr. King’s legacy in the fight for civil and human rights.

Assemblymember Curren Price serves the 51st Assembly District, which includes Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Playa Vista, Westchester, Lawndale, West Athens, Lennox, Alondra Park, West Compton, Del Aire, and Willowbrook, as well as portions of the unincorporated area of Ladera.