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-directorAbby 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-directorKen 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

• 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 aW5mbyB8IExhcGVuYSAhIG9yZw==.

• 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.

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

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