Central Coast Bioneers kicks off its 2014 Critical Conversations Program

Earth Day, Tuesday April 22, Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St, SLO.

Doors Open 6:00 PM, Film starts at 6:30 PM, Discussion at 7:30 PM

Admission:  $5 suggested donation to Central Coast Bioneers

Thoreau, Civil Disobedience, and Diablo Canyon:  A Showing of the Award Winning documentary A Question of Power by David L. Brown and narrated by Peter Coyote.

Followed by audience and panel discussion on the role of Civil Disobedience in Democracy moderated by Ecologistics, Inc.’s Chairperson Michael Jencks.

Thirty years ago this year Diablo Canyon was granted its full power operating license. That approval was preceded by years of public protests, demonstrations and civil disobedience in San Luis Obispo. In fact, at the time, in the number of protesters and arrests, the demonstrations and three-week blockade at Diablo led by the Abalone Alliance were the largest sustained act of civil obedience in US history. The San Luis Obispo Community stood up for itself in a proud moment of community courage. David Brower, former Executive Director of the Sierra Club and later founder of Friends of the Earth said

“Question of Power is a documentary that not only informs and frightens, but also excites and inspires. The film reminds us inescapably of what informed citizens can achieve together if they put their minds and bodies where their hearts are.”

The film features a number of well-known opponents of Diablo Canyon and will introduce you to Wavy Gravy, Jackson Browne, Starhawk, a young Governor Jerry Brown, and Pam Metcalf of the Abalone Alliance as well as local citizens including Chris and Jean Kluver, attorney John Carsel, the unforgettable Frances Stewart, and a number of Cal Poly faculty and staff, including professors Paul Wolff and Richard Kranzdorf.

The documentary has been broadcast on PBS and has won a number of awards at international film festivals but has been rarely shown in San Luis Obispo the past 20 years.