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Independent Lens
Peace Officer: The Militarization of Police
In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Peace Officer, the militarization of police is revealed to accelerate alongside the escalation of the War on Drugs, especially after the implementation of the "1033 program" following the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 1990 that authorized the U.S. military to donate equipment to police departments.
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Hazing reveals the tradition of underground rituals that are abusive and sometimes deadly.

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Three formerly incarcerated mothers fight to rebuild their lives outside of prison.

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A provocative look at what it means to feel safe in an American classroom.

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1:25:19
An activist detective searches for missing migrants in rural South Texas.
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1:25:48
Inside the family-run newspaper keeping local journalism alive.

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54:25
When homosexuality was considered an illness to be “cured," LGBTQ activists fought back.

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The murder of a police sergeant tests the D.A.’s resolve to never seek the death penalty.

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1:35:39
Meet the indomitable Dolores Huerta, who led the fight for racial and labor justice.

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55:02
Part Two of The Graduates

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51:01
Primera parte de Los Graduados

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55:32
Part One of The Graduates

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54:08
The rich culinary tradition of soul food and its relevance to black cultural identity.