The movie about the 2002 Hearne, TX drug bust opened this weekend.   After 20 criminals were thrown behind bars, the raid looked like a major triumph in the war on drugs.  It later proved to be an attack on African Americans in the small town of 5,000 people.

“American Violet” tells the story of  Regina Kelley, one of the few residents who did not accept a plea bargain and refusing to confess to a crime she did not do.  “I was setting an example for my girls,” said the mother of four.   “And also, learning from my mom; she’s always told me what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong, so why would you plead something that you just know you didn’t do?”   Kelly became the lead plantiff in the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas lawsuit that accused the district attorney’s office of targeting minorities.

I haven’t seen the movie yet but it is definitely on my list. Newcomer, Nicole Beharie, plays Kelley and it looks like she does a phenomenal job in the trailer.  Not to mention Alfre Woodard and Charles S. Dutton are a couple of my favorite actors.  Watch the trailer below.