On September 1st, 2021, a group of activists who burglarized an FBI office and uncovered the existence of an illegal surveillance program on American citizens will return to the “scene of the crime” in Media, PA. Along with the Washington Post reporter who exposed it all and several other featured guests, the burglars will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the event and most importantly what their discovery meant.

This act of civil disobedience and the documents disclosed revealed that the FBI watched, infiltrated, and planted counter-intelligence on non-violent anti-Vietnam War protesters and civil rights groups and their leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr. It brought to the public’s attention the existence of the now-infamous COINTELPRO operation directed by J. Edgar Hoover himself which led to congressional oversight of US intelligence agencies.

MEDBURG, the FBI’s name for the burglary investigation, was never solved.

7 pm: Documentary screening & on-stage panel discussion including the burglars
Location: Media Theatre, 104 East State Street, Media, PA
Ticketed event: $25

Screening of the documentary 1971 (runtime: 1:20)
Live roundtable interview by Marc Lamont Hill of BNC News with activists Bonnie Raines and Keith Forsyth, journalist Betty Medsger, Mike German, a former FBI officer and David Kairys, civil rights attorney.

Click here to purchase tickets to the screening

The public are also welcome to attend any of the following events:

4 pm: Unveiling of the Pennsylvania Historical Marker commemorating the FBI office burglary.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will dedicate a historical marker at 1-6 Veterans Square in Media Borough, where documents were taken from the former FBI field office. In conjunction with the historical marker dedication, events are planned to shed light on the significance of the event at the time and the shockwaves it caused for years after.

Speeches by Bob McMahon, Media Borough Mayor, PA Historical & Museum Commission officials, author Betty Medsger and others

4:30 pm: Book signing and tour of the former FBI office
Location: 2nd floor, 1-6 Veterans Sq

Reservations are required, tickets are limited, this event is free with a reservation.
Book signing of The Burglary by author Betty Medsger, Bonnie Raines and Keith Forsyth.

Books are available through the ticketing site and for purchase and pick up at the event.

Tickets, reservations, and more information.

This event is brought to you in part by the Media Arts Council, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local art and artists. With a gallery located at the West End of State Street, MAC integrates a wide range of arts into the life of the entire community.