Cranston Public Library

Press Release

December 22, 2017

Cranston Public Library to Pre-Screen POV Films’ Do Not Resist:
A Documentary Taking a Challenging Look at Militarization of Police in America

The son of a SWAT team member in Detroit, Craig Atkinson thought he knew what he was getting into when he started a new documentary project on American policing. But after three years of filming, what he discovered was an unprecedented lurch toward militarization for local police forces since 9/11.

With his award-winning debut documentary Do Not Resist, Craig Atkinson gives viewers a boots-on-the-ground look at American policing, bringing in perspectives from criminal justice reformers, policymakers and law enforcement leaders in this comprehensive look at a chilling new trend.

Do Not Resist has its national broadcast premiere on the PBS documentary series POV (Point of View) on February 12, 2018, but Rhode Islanders will have the opportunity to catch a pre-screening at the Cranston Public Library on Wednesday, January 10 at 6 PM.

Since 9/11 the federal government has given police departments more than $40 billion in military-grade equipment. Most grants include no stipulations on how that equipment should be deployed or any reporting requirements. Throughout 2014 and 2015, Atkinson and his crew watched as departments throughout the county adapted the technologies under the pretense of fighting domestic terrorism. However, as Do Not Resist reveals, this military surplus equipment and surveillance technology is often used on a day-to-day basis to serve search warrants—almost always in searches for drugs.

“Do Not Resist is a must-watch for all Americans. It represents perspectives on all sides of the issue—from criminal justice reform advocates, law enforcement leaders, policymakers on both sides of the aisle and average community members. Brought up in a law enforcement family himself, Craig Atkinson brings added urgency to the film. In addition to the fact that the film is a moving piece of cinema, we were eager to get involved with this project because the film team was so passionate about using it to spark civic dialogue. We are excited to bring it to American audiences on air, online and through our robust community network,” said Justine Nagan, executive producer/executive director of POV/American Documentary.

The pre-screening of Do Not Resist will begin at 6 PM at Cranston Public Library’s Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd, Cranston, RI.

This event is a collaboration with POV, the award-winning independent nonfiction film series on PBS ( POV is American television's longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 30th season.

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