Documentary: The Ballad of Esequiel Hern?ndez

In 1997, U.S. Marines patrolling the Texas-Mexico border as part of the War on Drugs shot and killed Esequiel Hern?ndez Jr. Mistaken for a drug runner, the 18-year-old was, in fact, a U.S. citizen tending his family's goats with a .22 rifle. He became the first American killed by U.S. military forces on native soil since the 1970 Kent State shootings. The Ballad of Esequiel Hern?ndez, narrated by Tommy Lee Jones, explores Hernandez's tragic death and its torturous aftermath. His parents and friends, the Marines on patrol, and investigators discuss the dangers of militarizing the border and the death of one young man. A co-presentation of Latino Public Broadcasting. An official selection of the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.

This event is a collaboration with the award-winning documentary series P.O.V. (http://www.pbs.org/pov). Since 1988, P.O.V. has brought the best of independent point-of-view documentaries to a national audience, featuring the work of America?s most innovative documentary filmmakers to build new communities in conversation about today?s most pressing social issues. ?The Ballad of Esequiel Hern?ndez is scheduled to debut on national public television on July 8.

Admission: Free

Location: Central Library, 820 E Street, San Diego, CA 92101-6478

For more information:
Phone: 619-236-5800
or
Visit: mediaartscenter.org & pbs.org

For more information about the film see: heyokapictures.com