Bradley Crowder
Better This World had it's world premiere at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Crowder was there to answer questions at the screening Q&As along with the filmmakers. While attending the festival, he also participated in a StoryCorps interview with filmmaker Katie Galloway. Here are some excerpts from that audio recording.
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Clip 1
Crowder talks about his conservative background and how he made the leap from conservatism to radicalism.
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Clip 2
Crowder talks about the protest, his experiences in prison and his thoughts about the value of revolutionary struggle after leaving prison.
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Clip 3
Crowder talks about the difference between revolutionary struggle and violence, and the importance of recognizing the separation that can -- and should -- exist.
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Clip 4
Crowder shares his prison reading list.
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Clip 5
Crowder talks about Brandon Darby and how he feels about him now.
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Clip 6
Crowder talks about his approach to being a documentary subject and what he thinks about the film now.
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Clip 7
Crowder provides an update on his life now and the effect that he thinks prison might have on David McKay.
Brandon Darby
Brandon Darby in his Common Ground days
Brandon Darby was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Darby gained prominence following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when he became a spokesperson and co-founder of Common Ground Relief, a collectively run relief organization based out of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.
Darby's work with the FBI was uncovered in December of 2008, when an unidentified source revealed him to the St. Paul Pioneer Press during Crowder and McKay's case. On December 29, 2008, Darby made the information public when he released an open letter on the Internet confirming the rumor.
In part, the letter read:
"Though I've made and will no doubt continue to make many mistakes in efforts to better our world, I am satisfied with the efforts in which I have participated. Like many of you, I do my best to act in good conscience and to do what I believe to be most helpful to the world. Though my views on how to give of myself have changed substantially over the years, ultimately the motivations behind my choices remain the same. I strongly stand behind my choices in this matter."
Read the entire letter on Indymedia »
Related Links: Brandon Darby
- The New York Times. "Activist Unmasks Himself as Federal Informant in G.O.P. Convention Case"
Reporter Colin Moynihan writes about the release of the letter linked above shortly before Crowder and McKay's federal trial began. (January 4, 2009) - The New York Times. "Anarchist Ties Seen in '08 Bombing"
After Brandon Darby sued The New York Times for libel after a February 23, 2009 article described Darby as having "encouraged" Crowder and McKay in their plan to make firebombs and hurl them at police cars during the RNC convention, the newspaper appended this retraction on the original article on their website. (March 16, 2009) - This American Life: "Turncoat - Act Two. Part Two."
Darby's transformation from activist to FBI informer is detailed in this This American Life story, which originally broadcast on May 22, 2009. (audio, 17 minutes)
David McKay
