Proposed Projects for 2023 - the 60th Anniversary of the Assassination of JFK

 PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR 2023 – the 60^th Anniversary of the Assassination of JFK

With the impending 60^th anniversary of the JFK assassination approaching, with its added media attention, I think it imperative that we plan for a series of events that will lead to the release of the remaining JFK assassination records and a possible resolution to the case, to a legal and moral certainty, though justice will never be served.

While Dallas will still be the main stage on November 22 and the weekend conferences are held – and CAPA will be holding a walk in conference at that time, I believe that the emphasis must shift  to Washington D.C., where the Archives are located, the evidence and records are held, and Congress sits in session.

Since movies and films have been a key mover in gathering attention and getting Congress to move on the JFK Act, I suggest that a JFK Film Festival be held at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts  (JFK CPA), a first class venue with multiple theaters, conference rooms, video production facilities and places to eat. It is also adjacent to the Watergate Hotel where people can stay.

This JFK Film Fest will extend over the period of a few days, maybe even a week, and be divided into two sections – the first including all of the major motion pictures that relate to the subject of the assassination – including Frank Sinatra’s Suddenly and Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days in May, Thirteen Days with Kevin Costner, Executive Action, Oliver Stone’s JFK and Parkland.

The second half of the festival will be non-fictional documentaries – and include as many if not all of them, including those from both sides of the story.

They can be digitalized, and made available on line for posterity so they are preserved for future generations.

One of the most important conferences held on the subject was Politics and Cinema at American University, which featured Oliver Stone, Henry Gonzolez, Fletcher Prouty, John Judge and a NYTs film critic that was taped and presented by ESPN. A similar program should accompany this festival, and each film can be previewed and reviewed by critics before and after their presentation.

Since a number of new books are expected to be published for the anniversary, a book fair can be held in an ajoining room, with writers making presentations of their work and signing and selling their books.

I suggest that this even be held in late September or October when college kids are in town, and before Nov. 22, to build up to the anniversary.

Since December 15, 2023 is the deadline President Biden had imposed on the release of the remaining JFK assassination records, a press conference should be planned for that day and possibly the day after, accompanied by a one day conference of serious critics who can detail the shortcomings of the JFK Act, how siginificant records were destroyed, are missing or kept out of the JFK collection.

I proposed to CAPA that we also push for Congress to hold hearings on the JFK Act around this time, hearings similar to the Watergate, 9/11 and January 6^th hearings, as Congress should and is required to do by law.

But as Dr. Wecht responded, while he likes the idea of the film fest and book fair, he does not believe Congress will embaras itself for failing to oversee the JFK Act as it should have done, and no such hearings will be held.

I agree, but I suggest that instead of Congress doing its job, we hold a Mock JFK Act Hearing – with many of those key players making presentations and responding to questions – including Judge Tunheim, Oliver Stone, Doug Horne, G. R. Blakey, Bob Tannenbaum, Dan Hardway, Malcolm Blunt, and those most familiar with the JFK Act and how it was not properly overseen.

If Congress decides to hold JFK Act hearings – and they haven’t done so in over 20 years, they put the program together, decide who testifies, and makes up the questions. On the other hand, if we hold a Mock JFK Act Hearing, we call the shots, decide who makes presentations, and ask the questions, and maybe we can embaras the Congressional Oversight Committee to do its job.

In any case, these are my ideas for the 2023 – the 60^th anniversary, and probably the last hurrah for public interest in the case, and I seek your suggestions and support. CAPA will be considering this soon, and to really make it work, I will be seeking the support of the Assassination Archives and Research Center (AARC), the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC), JFKFacts, Mary Ferrell, Kennedy sand King and any other organization that wants to participate.

If you have any other ideas, or want to volunteer your support, please contact me –

Billkelly3@gmail.com or 609-346-0229