Watch 9500 Liberty

9500 Liberty is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary film that tells the story of a small Virginia town called Prince William County, and the struggle it faced with immigration. The film is set in 2007, when Prince William County passed a law requiring police officers to check the legal status of anyone they suspected of being an undocumented immigrant. This law, known as the Immigration Resolution, was met with both praise and criticism from the residents of the county.

The film features interviews with a number of residents from the area, including politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens. Many of these interviews are deeply emotional, as people share their personal stories and experiences with immigration.

One of the main tensions in the film is between those who see the Resolution as a necessary step to curb illegal immigration, and those who see it as an attack on their civil liberties. The film makes a strong case for the latter perspective, highlighting the ways in which the law encouraged racial profiling and unjust treatment of immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

Through interviews and footage of public meetings and protests, the film shows how the community became increasingly divided over the Resolution. Many residents who had previously been neutral or unaware of the issue began to take sides, attending council meetings and rallies in support of or against the law.

The film also features the story of a young Mexican-American man named Guadencio Fernandez, who becomes an activist in the fight against the Resolution. After being stopped by police and questioned about his legal status, Fernandez becomes determined to speak out against the law and its effects on his community.

As the situation in Prince William County grows more heated, the film shows the way that social media and technology played a role in the struggle. A website called “9500 Liberty” is created to protest the Resolution, and becomes a hub for discussion and activism. This platform allows people from all over the world to participate in the conversation and offer their support.

Overall, 9500 Liberty is a powerful and important film about the intersection of immigration and civil liberties in America. By telling the story of one town's struggle, it sheds light on a larger national conversation, and challenges viewers to think deeply about what it means to be a citizen in a diverse and complex society.