MCALLEN, Texas - The Historic Cine El Rey Theatre Foundation has moved today’s “Book Signing & Conversations” event with Texas civil rights icon James C. Harrington to the España Nouveau Mediterranean restaurant in McAllen.
The event starts at 4:00 p.m. today, Sunday, Sept. 14.
Harrington was due to speak and sign autographs for his new book, The Texas Civil Rights Project - How We Built a Social Justice Movement - at the El Cine Rey Theater. But McAllen city officials on Friday cut off electricity to the theater and more than 20 other nightlife establishments in the entertainment district.
“My brother has agreed to host the event at his restaurant,” said Bert Guerra, owner of El Cine Rey Theater.
Speaking about the event, Guerra said Harrington will sign advance copies of his new book for $20, which is 40 percent cheaper than it will cost in stores.
“Civil rights icon Jim Harrington will make a personal appearance at España to recount his lifelong work for social justice. From a Midwest seminary to a United Farm Workers office in the Rio Grande Valley, Harrington has fought for the rights of a wide range of Americans, bringing justice to victims of police brutality, injured farmworkers, silenced students, and people with disabilities.”
Guerra continued: "It is an honor to host Jim Harrington and welcome him back to McAllen Texas - a city he held accountable during some of its darkest and abusive periods in history - not to bring it down but to lift it up."
One of the chapters in Harrington’s book deals with police brutality towards Mexican Americans in McAllen in the 1970s. The South Texas Civil Rights Project that Harrington ran filed lawsuits against the police and won.
Rio Grande Guardian editor and publisher Steve Taylor will moderate a discussion with Harrington during the public Q&A portion of the event at España. It is free to attend.
“The Historic Cine El Rey Theatre Foundation is dedicated to ‘Preserving the past for the future,’ Guerra added.
The City of McAllen has been getting tough on bars and night clubs on and around 17th Street after a McAllen police officer was assaulted this summer in the city’s entertainment district. McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos responded by saying he wants the minimum age to enter a bar to go up from 18 to 21.
City officials did not reference their concerns about underage drinking when they ordered the electricity to be cut on more than 20 establishments - including Cine El Rey - in the entertainment district. Their press release on Friday stated:
“This morning, in close coordination with public safety partners, the City of McAllen disconnected electrical service to more than a dozen establishments in the Entertainment and Cultural Overlay District (ECOD) for operating without the legally required certificate of occupancy (CO).
“Certificates of occupancy are a cornerstone of community safety. They verify that every building—from family homes and schools to hotels, restaurants, and bars—has met essential building and fire codes, electrical standards, and life-safety requirements. Without a CO, there is no assurance that exits are accessible, wiring is safe, or fire suppression systems are functional—conditions that can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.”
In the press release, Tawil said: “Certificates of occupancy are not red tape; they are critical safeguards designed to protect patrons, employees, and first responders. Almost all McAllen businesses comply with these rules because they value the safety of their customers and our community. Unfortunately, a small group of bar operators has chosen to ignore these standards and operate illegally.”
The press release continued: “Despite citations and numerous civil suits, these establishments continue to flout the law and create extreme safety risks. The City remains committed to helping businesses succeed safely. Power will be promptly restored as soon as operators obtain their certificates of occupancy and demonstrate compliance with minimum safety requirements.”
Mayor Villalobos, also in the press release, stated: “McAllen’s downtown entertainment scene is one of our city’s greatest assets. We will continue to support responsible operators and work hand-in-hand with the business community to keep our vibrant nightlife safe for everyone.”
