Reel and Meal at the New Deal

Reel and Meal is a monthly film series at the New Deal Cafe exploring vital environmental, animal rights, and social justice issues. Admission to the film is always free, sponsored by several Greenbelt community organizations. Contributions are gladly accepted to cover each month’s donation to a non-profit organization.

Reel and Meal events are in-person (limited seating) and online via Zoom.  Each month registration links will be posted here.  You can also reach out to Reel and Meal at

Date: Third Monday of every month
Time: The free film starts at 7pm.
Dinner: Dinners are available at the café after 4pm with several plant-based options.
Carryout: The Co-Op Supermarket Meatless Monday meals can be picked up from the “grab and go” for Zoom at-home viewing after 11am.
Location: Online or at the New Deal Cafe – 113 Centerway in historic Greenbelt, MD
Public transportation: The cafe is accessible by Metro Buses G12, 13, 14 and 16 from the Greenbelt Metro station.

July 19, 2021

Racially Charged: America’s Misdemeanor Problem

Program via Zoom

Registration is required.

George Floyd was killed for the misdemeanor crime of using a counterfeit $20 bill. Eric Gardner died for selling a single cigarette without a tax stamp. Greenwald’s film shows how such low level offenses are disproportionately enforced against African-Americans and whose arrests turn violent or deadly. Freddie Gray was charged with carrying a knife. Philando Castile was charged with an expired tag. Both men were shot and killed. These victims were 4 among thousands. This violence was born out of the historic brutality and racial terrorism of post-reconstruction America.

Racially Charged exposes the system that punishes over 13 million people a year, most of them poor and people of color. Further, it depicts how Southern states repurposed their misdemeanor system to control black people after the Civil War. Misdemeanors became a backdoor form of slavery.

This month’s film is hosted by the Utopia Film Festival. For more information call Frank Gervasi at 301 467-2418.

The Co-op Grocery (Roosevelt Center) will again offer a vegan meal to Reel and Meal participants for $7.99. The menu this month is Cashew Carbonara, vegan Italian sausage and a side salad. Phone in your pre-order by 1:00 pm on Monday 7/19 for pick-up between 4-7 p.m. at the deli. Call (301) 474-0522 and ask for the deli. Some may be available on a walk-in basis if not pre-ordered.

Trailer

Watch the trailer at misdemeanorfilm.org.