'Thirty-Nine Counties' follows Poshard's marches for peace

Retired U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and Feed Room Films will hold a free screening of the documentary film "Thirty-Nine Counties" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at Chester Knights of Columbus, 209 Church St.

A question-and-answer session with Poshard and filmmaker Sandra Pfeifer will follow the screening.

"Thirty-Nine Counties" is a 50-minute documentary about civic engagement and peaceful public action born out of the need to reckon with a country's great divide.

One year ago in the middle of a pandemic, Poshard planned and organized 39 different marches for peace, unity and nonviolence in all the counties he represented during his time in the U.S. Congress.

Poshard and his wife, Jo, managed, in 28 days, to march in all 39 counties - driving hundreds of miles from county to county to meet the people who answered the call to march for peace and unity in a troubled time. This documentary chronicles all the marches, the people who participated in them and the historical oratory presented by Poshard. "Thirty-Nine Counties" reminds us that the strength of a democracy is in its citizenry.

"Both Glenn and I feel it is important to show the film at this time as a special public service since the country continues to see serious division," said Pfeifer. "Our hope is that this screening will inspire public participation in the democratic process.

"We are grateful to all our regional partners for their help in screening the film."