MTV Networks Explores Immigration and Democracy With the Television Debut of the Acclaimed Documentary 9500 Liberty

NEW YORK and MIAMI, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas (formerly MTV Tr3s), MTV2 and mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, announced today that the networks have acquired the television rights to the 9500 Liberty. The critically acclaimed documentary chronicles the social and economic impact that a contentious immigration law – closely resembling Arizona's SB 1070 bill - had on a county near Washington D.C. in 2007.   9500 Liberty makes its television debut simultaneously on Tr3s, MTV2 and mtvU on Sunday, September 26th at 8pm (ET/PT), as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.  

Directed by Annabel Park and Eric Byler, 9500 Liberty examines the outcome of an immigration law adopted in Prince William County, Virginia in 2007, requiring police officers to question anyone they had "probable cause" to suspect was an undocumented immigrant.  Film critic Roger Ebert praised the documentary as a story which "possibly foretells what lies ahead in Arizona." Park and Byler are founders of the Coffee Party, which will hold its first national convention on September 24th -26th in Louisville, KY.

"It is important for Tr3s to serve as a platform to create dialogue with our bilingual/bicultural audience around important issues; particularly the issues that affect their communities and will somehow have an impact on their future," said Jose Tillan, GM & EVP of Tr3s. "We're thrilled that our sister networks have joined us in helping to create awareness around this issue among their respective audiences. The documentary takes a raw and vulnerable look into the incidents that took place in Prince William County and documents the story in a way that we feel will connect with our audience's emotional and activist nature," he added.

"MTV has a rich legacy of raising the consciousness and sparking a dialogue around issues that affect our viewers most," said Stephen Friedman, General Manager, MTV.  "Sharing this powerful film with our audience is an important way that we can engage American's youth in the debate around immigration that is raging both nationally and in communities where they live."

The award-winning documentary 9500 Liberty reveals how Prince William County, Virginia's controversial police mandate for immigration status checks — a precursor to Arizona's SB1070 — became law in March of 2008, and, why it was repealed after only two months of implementation. 9500 Liberty provides an inside look at the real-life impact this law had on the residents, the local economy, and the county government.  Faced with uncertain circumstances, the community rallied behind two stay-at-home moms, a grocery store owner, and faith-based leaders to advocate for the law's repeal, setting up a tense showdown in the seat of county government.

"Tr3s, MTV2 and mtvU are the perfect fit for 9500 Liberty because it really resonates with young voters under 35, as well as the Hispanic audience young and old alike," said Director Eric Byler. "Screenings attended by these groups have been followed by insightful discussions that have led to on-going collaborations.  Our film engages them and they inspire us."

"To compete in the 21st century, America needs a new generation of leaders who have grown up thriving in the richness of diversity.  People under 30 know intuitively where we need to go as a nation," commented Director Annabel Park. "We need to hear from them more often."

About 9500 Liberty

9500 Liberty is set in Prince William County, Virginia after elected officials adopt a law requiring police officers to question anyone they have "probable cause" to suspect is an undocumented immigrant. The film reveals the startling vulnerability of a local government, targeted by national anti-immigration networks using the Internet to frighten and intimidate lawmakers and citizens. Alarmed by a climate of fear and racial division, residents form a resistance using social networks and virtual town halls, setting up a real-life showdown in the seat of county government. The social and economic impact of the "Immigration Resolution" is felt in the lives of real people in their homes and local businesses, but the fight to adopt and then reverse this policy unfolds inside government chambers, on the streets, and on the Internet. 9500 Liberty provides a front row seat to all three battlegrounds.

About Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas

Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas, owned and operated by MTV Networks Latin America, reaches 7.4 million Hispanic TV households (58% of US Hispanic Total TV HH) and 39 million total TV households. The network's programming embraces the trilogy of cultures that represents Latino life – Latin American plus American equals US Latino - through original productions, key acquisitions, and content from MTV Networks' portfolio of entertainment brands. Tr3s embraces the key lifestyle aspects of Latino identity -- milestones, making it and music -- as well as social responsibility through its initiative "Agentes de Cambio", which tackles issues that affect Latinos today. The network also taps into the growing number of Latinos that are digitally connected thru www.tr3s.com.

About MTV2

MTV2, Man's Best Friend, has the highest concentration of males 12-34 on TV today.  A vibrant mix of music, lifestyle and action sports programming, MTV2 has reflected the habits and behavior of young people since its launch in 1996. MTV2's audience has grown each year and the channel is currently available in nearly 80 million homes.  MTV2 is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Come check us out at www.mtv2.com.

About mtvU

Broadcast to more than 750 college campuses and via top cable distributors in 700 college communities nationwide, mtvU reaches nearly 9 million U.S. college students – making it the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, mtvU can be seen in the dining areas, fitness centers, student lounges and dorm rooms of campuses throughout the U.S., as well as on cable systems from Charter Communications, Verizon FiOS TV, Suddenlink Communications, AT&T u-Verse and nearly 70 others. mtvU is dedicated to every aspect of college life, reaching students everywhere they are: on-air, online and on campus. mtvU programs music videos from emerging artists that can't be seen anywhere else, news, student life features and initiatives that give college students the tools to advance positive social change. mtvU is always on campus, with hundreds of events per year, including exclusive concerts, giveaways, shooting mtvU series and more. For more information about mtvU, and a complete programming schedule, visit www.mtvU.com.

SOURCE MTV Networks