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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Human Rights Group Hosts Pray the Devil Back to Hell
 
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN (February 25, 2009) – The award-winning film Pray the Devil Back to Hell opens for a limited engagement in Minneapolis at the Lagoon Cinema beginning this weekend. As at the national premiere in New York, The Advocates will moderate post-film Q&A sessions at the 7:10 p.m. showings on Saturday, February 28th and Wednesday, March 4 to discuss the documentary and issues of women’s rights, truth and reconciliation in post-war societies.
 
Pray the Devil Back to Hell is a brilliant film chronicling the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country.  After nearly 20 years of egregious violations of human rights, including arbitrary killing, torture, use of child combatants, sexual violence, and destruction of property, a peace movement emerged. Thousands of women – ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim – began to come together to pray for peace. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they staged a silent protest outside of the Presidential Palace and demanded a resolution to the country’s civil war. Their actions became a critical element in bringing about an agreement during the stalled peace talks.

A story of sacrifice, unity, and transcendence, Pray the Devil Back to Hell honors the strength and perseverance of these women of Liberia. Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations. The film has won several awards, including Best Documentary in the Tribeca Film Festival. It has received praise from movie critics from Los Angeles to Boston, including an excellent review in The New York Times.
 
This story is especially pertinent to Minnesota, home to the largest population of Liberians outside of West Africa. Based in Minneapolis, The Advocates for Human Rights has worked with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia for more than two years to engage the Liberian diaspora in the United States, the United Kingdom, and West Africa in the TRC process. Deputy Director Jennifer Prestholdt will moderate the post-film discussion with a panel of local Liberians.   

The film is also being screened in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in March, 2009. See www.PraytheDevilBacktoHell.com for more information,including how to host a community screening, receive updates about special events and the DVD release, and join the Global Peace Tour in September.
 
 
Contacts:
Jennifer Prestholdt, Deputy Director                                Robin Phillips, Executive Director
(w) 612-341-3302, ext. 111                                    (w) 612-341-3302, ext. 109
jprestholdt@advrights.org                                                 rphillips@advrights.org
 
                                                                                                                                    

The Advocates for Human Rights is a non-governmental, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights. With the help of over 600 volunteers, The Advocates investigates and exposes human rights violations; represents immigrants and refugees in our community who are victims of human rights abuses, trains and assists groups that protect human rights; and works through education and advocacy in Minnesota to engage the public, policy makers and children about human rights and cultural understanding. The Advocates for Human Rights holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.