Between 2001 and 2022, the Philadelphia Stories series aired on WYBE TV, spanning eight seasons.

Now, as part of the Philadelphia Stories RETROSPECTIVE: A 20th Anniversary Look Back series, a documentary presentation will take a specific look at the impact of Frank Rizzo.

As the first in a series of conversations and presentations for the retrospective series, Robert Mugge’s 1978 documentary Amateur evening at the town hall will be presented by PhillyCAM.

Rizzo served as Philadelphia Police Commissioner from 1968 to 1971 and Mayor of Philadelphia from 1971 to 1979, leaving behind a controversial legacy of prejudice and hate goals.

PhillyCAM will present the documentary on January 20.

Prior to its broadcast at 12:00 PM, PhillyCAM will host a live panel discussion via PhillyCAM TV and WPPM radio (106.5 FM).

The documentary will then air on PhillyCAM TV at 8:30 p.m. The screening will be followed by a round table at 9.45 p.m.

By showing the documentary, PhillyCAM seeks to unbox and remedy the damage done by the Rizzo administration by opening a dialogue.

The documentary records key moments in Rizzo’s career as mayor and police commissioner, evoking the controversy and wrongdoing of his administration.

During his tenure, Rizzo instilled the fear of committing acts of discrimination. In turn, he used these tactics to legitimize his nefarious agenda.

Rizzo’s misdeeds include the raid on gay bars in 1968, leading to defamation of the LGBTQ + community and the possibility of police abuse against the community, and many others who were neither straight nor white. .

By virtue of these precedents, Rizzo fearfully led to falsely arrest members of the LGBTQ + community.

In 1978, Rizzo asked Philadelphians to “vote white”, stating that he would like “whites and blacks who think like me to vote like Frank Rizzo.”

The PhillyCAM roundtable will discuss criminal justice reform and the lasting effects of the Rizzo administration.

“A panel of movement leaders will discuss how to counter Rizzo’s oppressive police legacy and the groundbreaking work underway to reform the city’s criminal justice system. Panelists will discuss their work to end the cash bond, end mass incarceration, promote police accountability and remove symbols of oppression like the Rizzo mural in South Philly and the statue in across from Town Hall, ”read a PhillyCAM press release.

Panelists will include Kris Henderson or Nikki Grant of the Amistad Law Project, Candace McKinley of the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and Reuben Jones of Frontline Dads.

The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Linn Washington of Temple University.

The documentary can be broadcast via PhillyCAM TV, Xfinity TV channels 66 / 966HD, Fios TV channels 29/30 with simultaneous audio streaming on WPPM 106.5 FM. Worldwide on Roku, Apple TV and online streaming.