Hate Crime in Howard Beach
Film Screening & Ticket Information
When & Where to See this Film!
Date, Time & Location:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH • 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
MoMI Bartos • 36-01 35th Ave • Queens, NY 11106
SCREENING BLOCK:
Putting Up a Fight: Three films about doing what you have to do.
Synopsis
Racial Incident involving 4 black men whose car broke down in Howard Beach Queens, NY on December 19, 1986. A group of white teenagers spots Michael Griffith, Cedric Sandiford & Timothy Grimes walking on Cross Bay Blvd, in a predominantly white section of Queens. The white teenagers begin chasing them with baseball bats and calling them racial slurs. Michael Griffith fled on foot to escape the beating and was struck by a car and killed on the Belt Parkway. 4 Whites are accused of Murder. Becoming One of Biggest Trials in NYC history and the Untied States.
Credits
Stephen J Woods, Director
Eric Notar, Director
Stephen J Woods, Writer
Stephen J Woods, Producer
Eric Notar, Producer
Brendan Gabriel Murphy, Producer
Al Sharpton, Key Cast, “Reverend ”
David Paterson, Key Cast, “Governor ”
Stephen G Murphy, Key Cast, “Criminal Defense Attorney ”
Denis Hamill, Key Cast, “NY Journalist ”
Christopher Griffith, Key Cast, “Brother of Michael”
Director Statement
The Howard Beach killing of Michael Griffith was a big part of my childhood. I remember it like it was yesterday. It garnered worldwide media attention. It split New York City in half. I say to my children. Imagine in 36 years someone was asked. Do you remember the name George Floyd? and the response given was….Who? Unfortunately 36 years ago Michael Griffith was killed in a hate crime and no one remembers his name outside of New York. Michael Griffith’s killing was the catalyst for the very 1st hate crime bill that was ever written. This is a story that I am personally shocked has never been told. However, Hate Crime in Howard Beach is my very first documentary film and I’m grateful I was given the chance to tell it.
Director Biography
Stephen J. Woods is a life long New York artist/film maker who reinvented himself at the age of 40. He once worked on the Floor of The New York Stock Exchange as well as other stock trading firms for over 16 years. Stephen decided after a life changing incident to follow his true passion in life. Telling Stories on canvas with paint & with camera. Stephen’s proudest achievements are his 2 children. Stephen 22 and Kailyn 20.
