Newton Documentary At Bijou Tonight

The screening of Ernie Newton’s Redemption & Opportunity: A Community Mission will take place tonight (Wednesday) at 7 at the Bijou Theatre on Fairfield Avenue Downtown. Newton political strategist Vinny Mangiacopra chronicles the days leading up to Newton’s effort to reclaim the State Senate seat he was forced to relinquish following corruption charges. Newton ran a close second to State Rep. Andres Ayala in the August primary. The doors open at 7, the show starts at 8 followed by a Q&A. Admission is $5.

Mangiacopra, president of The Preferred Group and producer of the film, says the film spotlights a message that needs to be heard.

“Within all of the millions of dollars being spent on political campaigning, you hear very little about how leaders are going to make life better for people in these types of communities,” Mangiacopra said. “Our story tells the tale of the desperate need for redemption and opportunities for communities that were once great, filled with neighborhood pride and jobs, but are now riddled by violence and poverty. Ernie’s campaign was about risking all of the public scrutiny in order to shine a light on what’s taking place in our streets.”