Chicago Access Network Television will feature Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist, a 99 minute documentary by independent filmmaker Nancy Bechtol. The film will be shown in two cablecasts on Channel 21 in Chicago  on Thursday, March 3 and Thursday, March 10 at 8 p.m.(CST).

Chris Drew, a Chicago street artist/activist sold art for $1 on a public street to challenge the Chicago Peddler’s License laws. He was carrying a device to record his interaction with the police when they asked him to stop peddling without a license. When the police discovered he was recording them, they arrested him on a much more serious charge, eavesdropping on the police, which is a felony punishable by 4 – 15 years in jail.

Trailer: Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist, a film by Nancy Bechtol.

Nancy Bechtol documented Chris’ journey over a 3 year period with the help of crew members Ron Grenko and Hermann Wieland. Chris Drew’s journey started with an act of civil disobedience to protest the Chicago Peddler’s License as a violation of First Amendment rights on the theory that selling art is a form of free speech. His case turned into a challenge to the Illinois Eavesdropping Law. Two pro bono attorneys came to his defense, Josh Kutnick and Mark Weinberg. Bechtol shot the arrest video which was widely shown on local, national, international and social media sites.

Bechtol used 5 different recording formats, including cell phone and HD DSLR, during the 5 year process of making this indie film. Original music is courtesy of Hey Now Records, music by Andy Alton & David Mansfield of Behind the Sun. Technical support was provided by David Bechtol. Produced by Shadow Bechtol Studio.

The film speaks strongly to our times. It is about the Constitution and all of our rights, seen through the eyes of Chris Drew, (1950-2012), a patron saint of street artists and First Amendment rights.

The Illinois Eavesdropping Law was eventually declared unconstitutional, and on March 20, 2014 the Illinois Supreme Court threw out this law! Victory! But in Dec 2014 a new Illinois Eavesdropping Law was created.

There have been 8 previews/screenings of the film since its completion in Jan. 2014. The film is listed on IMDb/Amazon streaming.