Thursday, Sept. 20, 8pm, MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. N. Loop.

Directed by a former “Blood,” Bastards of the Party chronicles the rise of gangs in L.A. from “out of the ashes” of the Black Panther Party and similar grassroots power-building movements. Billed as “the history of the longest war in U.S. history,” this award-winning documentary, which ran this spring on HBO/not released in theaters, gives powerful insight into gang culture while exploring how failed “gang war” law enforcement policies fed the violence. Free. Sponsored by ACLU-TX Central TX chapter. Contact: Debbie Russell, 573-6194.