To the editor:

A multitude of North Country nonprofit and educational groups in Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh and Potsdam have come together to present two films celebrating the enduring human spirit in the face of ethnic, gender and immigrant hatred.

The first of these films, “Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America” will feature an in-person appearance by the subject of this powerful film, who will introduce the film and participate in a Q&A session with the audience following the film. “Forbidden” will be shown in Saranac Lake on Monday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Pendragon Theatre, with a suggested donation of $10, with students free. The film will be shown in Yokum Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh the following night.

“Forbidden” tells the story of Moises Serrano, who came to this country as a baby with his parents, who risked everything to flee Mexico and make the perilous journey across the desert to search for the American Dream. Growing up in the rural South, Moises sees only one option — to fight for social justice. Moises’ story demonstrates courage, conviction and an unyielding desire to succeed. Anyone who sees this film and hears Moises in person will hopefully be motivated to take action so that success stories like Moises’ will not be seen as remarkable, but as normal.

The Saranac Lake showing of “Forbidden” is presented by Adirondack Voters for Change along with the following co-sponsors and supporters: John Brown Lives!, the Adirondack Unitarian Universalist Community of Saranac Lake, the Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance, the SUNY Plattsburgh Gender and Women’s Studies Department, JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Michele Armani Munn (the director of Bee Well) and the Adirondack Friends of Refugees and Immigrants.

The second film in the series, “I Am Rohingya: A Genocide in Four Acts” will be showing in Saranac Lake, Potsdam and Plattsburgh starting Sunday, Oct. 20.

Jim Abendroth, president

Adirondack Voters for Change

Bloomingdale