On October 11, 2014, Filipina woman Jennifer Laude was drowned by U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, who argued that Laude had deceived and “raped” him by failing to disclose she was transgender. Two weeks ago, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte granted a controversial “absolute pardon” to Pemberton, releasing him four years early from his 10-year prison sentence.

In this event, we watched Call Her Ganda, a documentary following an activist attorney (Virgie Suarez), a transgender journalist (Meredith Talusan) and Jennifer’s mother (Julita “Nanay” Laude) in their quest to galvanize a political uprising, pursue justice and take on hardened histories of US imperialism.