Biden says ‘history matters’ after hosting ‘Until’ screening

President Joe Biden hosts a screening of the film “Until,” about the 1955 lynching of Emmett Thiel, a 14-year-old black woman who a white woman said sexually assaulted her Emmett Till was killed after the tease.

“History matters,” Mr. Biden said briefly before the lights in the East Room were turned off for invited guests, including Thiel’s family.

He noted that while some might want to ignore the country’s history, “only the truth can bring healing and justice.”

Mr Biden said he had learned that “hate never goes away” and that the only thing that would stop it was the whole country condemning it.

A cousin of Till’s family is suing in federal court, asking the Mississippi County Sheriff to execute a recently discovered 1955 arrest warrant against the nearly 90-year-old woman who complained about the young man.

Mr. Biden did not comment on the lawsuit but thanked Thiel’s family for “never giving up” in their pursuit of justice.

Other attendees include Danielle Deadwyler, who plays Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley; Jalyn Hall, who plays Emmett; Whoopi Goldberg , who played Emmett’s maternal grandmother; and Chinonye Chukwu, the Nigerian-American filmmaker who directed Till.

In the auditorium, students, civil rights leaders, historians and families of victims of hate violence also distributed popcorn and candy in the auditorium, with a pack of tissues placed on each seat.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week that it was important for the president to host screenings during Black History Month “to elevate the film” and ensure Thiel’s story is not forgotten. very important.

Hours before the screening, Mr. Biden signed an executive order requiring annual reviews of federal agencies aimed at increasing access to federal programs, services and activities for disadvantaged communities.

Mr. Biden also held a White House summit last year on violence fueled by hate.

“There is still a lot of work to be done. The work is not done,” Ms Jean-Pierre said. “But the president is going to do everything in his power — in the federal government, in the White House — to make sure we address issues like this.”

She declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Thiel’s cousin, Priscilla Sterling, and her attorney said they planned to send a copy of the lawsuit to the Justice Department on Friday.

Thiel’s family, including Ms. Sterling, said in an appearance in Washington on Thursday that they would call on the department to reopen an investigation into his death.

Attorney Malik Shabazz said the scope of the investigation was very narrow and unfair. “The movie is good. Justice is much better,” he said.

Last June, a team conducting research at the LeFlore County Courthouse in Mississippi discovered an unexecuted 1955 warrant for Caroline Bryant, listed on the document as Mrs. Roy Bryant .

Ms. Sterling filed a lawsuit last week against current Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks in an attempt to force Mr. Banks to serve an arrest warrant for Bryant, who changed her name to Caroline Bryant Dona after remarrying m.