Passin´ It On

In 1971, Black Panther leader Dhoruba Bin Wahad (Richard Moore) was convicted and sentenced for the shooting of two New York City police officers. In 1990, Dhoruba´s conviction was overturned and he was released after serving 19 years in prison. He has always contended that he was imprisoned not for what he did, but for what he believed and espoused, and that his ordeal was part of an official policy to silence dissent. 'Passin´ It On' captures the candid testimony of those involved, from Dhoruba´s attorneys to the then Deputy Police Commissioner for New York City, from members of the jury to Dhoruba himself. Through the story of one individual´s ordeal through the justice system, 'Passin´ It On' contributes an important chapter to American and African American history. Utilizing archival news footage, personal accounts, a jazz score, and interviews for understanding the case as a caution against the excesses of power. Dhoruba himself explores the broad themes of urban Africal American life, from his South Bronx childhood to his activism, prison experiences and current renewed involvement in the black community today.