The Cayuga Museum’s Carriage House Theater will screen a new documentary from Wheelhouse Creative, “Deciding Vote”, which explores the story of former New York State Assemblyman George Michaels, a prominent member of Auburn, NY’s Jewish community and a veteran of World War Two.
Michaels entered politics in the tumultuous era of the 1960s, and became a central figure in paving the way for abortion rights in the US when his switched vote barely passed New York’s law legalizing abortion in 1970.
Michaels said changing his vote would probably terminate his political career, but, “if I am going to have any peace in my family, I cannot go back to them on Passover and say my vote defeated this bill.”
“The Deciding Vote” was recently shown at the DC/Dox Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. The film won the Richard D. Propes Social Impact Award at the 2023 Indy Shorts International Film Festival.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A discussion with the filmmakers and Michaels family.
The screening will take place in the Carriage House Theater in Auburn, Cayuga County, NY at 7 pm on Wednesday, August 23. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. A cash bar will be available.
The Carriage House Theater is located at the rear of 203 Genesee Street. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the theater just off Orchard Avenue and within the surrounding neighborhood. Learn more at: cayugamuseum.org/deciding-vote or by calling (315) 253-8051 with questions.
Photo of New York State Assemblyman George Michaels (D-Auburn) holding his head after changing his vote to “yes” which gave New York the most liberal abortion law in the U.S. (provided).
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