Transcript

Documentary at Reddick Mansion explores Ottawa’s abolitionist history · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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Speaker 1: Documentary at Reddick Mansion explores Ottawa's abolitionist history. Written by
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Speaker 1: Bill Frescos, this article is being read by an automated
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Speaker 1: voice brought to you by Everlett. A local documentary exploring
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Speaker 1: the stories of abolitionist John Hassack an enslaved man Jim Gray,
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Speaker 1: will be shown next week at the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.
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Speaker 1: The documentary was supported by an Illinois Arts Council grant
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Speaker 1: and focuses on Hassack and other local abolitionists who helped
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Speaker 1: Gray escape slavery. Hassack was a strong opponent of slavery
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Speaker 1: and was one of several people arrested for helping Gray.
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Speaker 1: During his court case, Hassack spoke out against slavery and
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Speaker 1: the Fugitive Slave Act of eighteen fifty, calling attention to
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Speaker 1: the cruelty of forcing escape slaves back into slavery. The
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Speaker 1: documentary also looks at how the impact of slavery continued
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Speaker 1: through the twentieth century and still impact society today. Showings
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Speaker 1: will be held July seventh, twelve at six pm, with
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Speaker 1: extra two pm showings on July eleventh and twelve at
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Speaker 1: the Mansion one thousand, one hundred Canal Street. Admission is
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Speaker 1: a ten dollars donation.