Free to Ride

Catch the Columbus premiere of Free to Ride at Knowlton Hall, a feature-length documentary about the coalition that fought for free public transit in Dayton. Produced by Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute, the film explores the question of whether public transportation is an issue of civil rights.

The powerful new documentary highlights the struggle by Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton (LEAD), with the help of their lawyers at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), to gain Dayton residents access to jobs and education by bus to the neighboring suburb of Beavercreek. This clash between neighbors and the issues raised echo the resistance faced by advocates and developers of affordable housing in communities across the country. This important film imparts important lessons for all of us.

The screening is introduced by the Kirwan Institute’s Director Sharon Davies; Senior Researcher Matthew Martin, who produced the film; and Director of Communications Jamaal Bell. A Q&A session follows.

Presented by Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in partnership with the Knowlton School of Architecture as part of Social Justice Week.