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Libyan Dragged Away After Rape Claim; Protests and Violence in Syria; Remembering Geraldine Ferraro
Aired March 26, 2011 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, on CNN --
(VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Beaten and raped, a bruised and battered looking woman surprises journalists at Libyan Hotel claiming rape and abuse at the hands of Moammar Gadhafi's militia. It is all caught on tape and we're live from the hotel where it happened.
And a strange report coming out of Syria tonight. This man shows up confessing to working with the enemy. He is now in custody and his worried brother is here pleading for his release.
America loses an iconic politician. Geraldine Ferraro has died. We'll look back at her career. Congressman Charlie Rangel, Reverend Al Sharpton and CNN's Eliot Spitzer join me to remember a woman being called a trailblazer.
I'm Don Lemon. The CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.
And we begin this broadcast in Libya where it is 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning and this story is very disturbing, and we have the video that goes with it. It shows a hysterical woman bursting into a hotel filled with journalists. She is screaming a horrifying story accusing 15 members of Moammar Gadhafi's militia of raping and beating her over a 2-day period. Right now Libyan security forces moved to shut her up, they did it right away, all while dragging her away to an uncertain fate. They smashed cameras including ours trying to destroy the evidence, but we do have the video of it and we want to show it to you as it happened.
And then we'll hear from Nic Robertson who is staying at the very hotel where the drama played out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where are you taking her?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you taking to her? Where are you going with her? Where are you going with her? Leave her.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Leave, leave, leave.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you taking her?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And as we said, our Nic Robertson is staying at the hotel where this happened. He joins us now live from there.
Nic, who is this woman and where is she now?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: She is a middle class woman who lives in Tripoli. Her tribal name means -- or implies that she is from Benghazi in the east of the country, and apparently that's what got her into so much trouble.
She says when she stopped at a government checkpoint, she came to this hotel because she wanted to tell her story. This is the where international journalists were, but it reveals perhaps exactly what the opposition fear, what they say happens and how their voices are stifled by the government. It was a very, very shocking event when it took place here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ROBERTSON (voice-over): She came to tell her story to the only people she thought would listen. International journalists in a city hotel.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ROBERTSON: They're all Libyans she calls out. Why don't you treat us the same? She claims to have been picked up at a government checkpoint, tied, beaten and raped. Her name is Eman al-Obaidi.
"Look at what Gadhafi's brigades did to me," she screams. "My honor was violated by them."
It is the first time anyone here has dared challenge Gadhafi's regime on camera.
CNN's cameraman Halil Abdullah, was there and so was journalist Jonathan Miller.
JONATHAN MILLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She was -- she had clearly been injured. There were marks on her face. She showed us marks on her leg as well. She said her wrists were bound to her ankles. And that she had been raped.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, hey.
ROBERTSON: But barely had reporters begun asking her questions when government officials known as minders started grabbing her, pulling her away. One minder pulled a handgun. Journalists were beaten.
CNN's camera was violently snatched away and systematically smashed, a footage taken.
MILLER: We took the woman to one side of the table and closed the table off again to try to intervene between the minders and her. But they came I think over the table or around and wrestled me and some others to the ground throwing punches, being quite violent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Leave, leave.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
ROBERTSON: In another brazen display of brutality, much feared by regime opponents and rarely seen by reporters, a bag is put over al-Obaidi' head as she has led away.
ROBERTSON: Are you OK?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
ROBERTSON: Are you OK?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
ROBERTSON: A little later, she was man handled out of the hotel.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ROBERTSON: Screaming it seemed for her life.
"If you don't see me tomorrow, then that's it," she was shouting.
Journalists protesting her treatment all the way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you going with her? Where are you going with her?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no.
ROBERTSON: But to no avail, bundled into a car against her will, she was sped away. Her last words, she was being taken to jail.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: Government officials said she was insane, that she was being taken to a hospital and we challenged them and said we wanted to see her to make sure she was safe. And then a few hours later they said, no, actually she was sane and that she was at a police facility, but she was safe and well. And that she would be pushing criminal charges against the people responsible for the brutality against her, and that we would be able to see her. That's what the government official said.
But I don't think anyone here is holding their breath because we have heard that sort of statement from government officials before. They often just don't follow through -- Don.
LEMON: So Nic, I have to ask you this then, do you think that we will ever see her again?
ROBERTSON: I think the fact that she was brave enough to come here and tell the world her plight, and this was an incredibly brave step, not just to put her face on camera and speak against the government, which in itself is brave, but here in the Arab world, for a woman who has been raped to make that known, to make it public, to make it known internationally, to the international public, is a huge, huge step.
The fact that she's drawn publicity to herself is perhaps the thing that may help her and save her at this time. But at this time it is impossible for us to know whether we'll see her and what will happen right now -- Don.
LEMON: CNN's Nic Robertson live for us in Tripoli tonight.
Nic, thank you very much.
And elsewhere in Libya, Misrata is becoming one of the bloodiest fronts of this conflict. CNN cannot confirm the authenticity of the video that you're about to see, but it appears to show sniper fire from the rooftop of the city.
Keep your eye on the upper right of the screen to see the smoke from the gun fire.
Just over the past 24 hours, in Misrata, French war planes destroyed at least five Libyan combat planes and two helicopters. Gadhafi's tanks have started shelling the city once again. Rebels are trying to push back, but they only have light weapons to work with.
A different story to the east to tell you about where Libyan rebels have seized control of the key eastern city of Ajdabiya. Gadhafi's forces retreated after days of intense fighting. The Libyan Foreign Ministry says coalition air strikes were the main factor. Ajdabiya is a gateway to Libya's enormous oil fields.
The coalition is also carrying out air strikes in central Libya. Reuters said attacks are happening in Sabha citing Libyan state television. A military source reportedly says the targets are in both military and civilian areas.
President Barack Obama is defending American involvement in Libya. He faced criticism from those who think he should have consulted Congress first and defined the mission better. In his weekly address, the president said the U.S. should not intervene every time there's a world crisis, but this is not a moment to stand idly by.
And the president will address the nation about Libya on Monday night. CNN will bring it to you live with coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. Eastern here in the United States.
While the focus has been on Libya, another country is seeing the markings or the makings of an uprising of its own.
And just yesterday, a man holding American citizenship living in Syria made a public confession that he was trying to sell information to Israel. But here's the thing, his brother says it is not true. And we'll tell you why he says his brother is being made an example of by the Syrian government. That is up next.
And it may be the best movie you have heard of. That's according to Roger Ebert. He loves it, and so do thousands of people on Facebook. I talked to the stars and the writer of "I Will Follow" this hour.
And you have a voice on this show. Check out our social media account. We like to see your feedback.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That's the sound of an uprising. In this case, a protest in the Coastal city of Latakia, Syria. It's also the latest example of security forces opening fire on Syrian protesters. Today's march began peacefully, but witnesses say security forces started shooting. The government has a different view claiming an unidentified group of gunmen are responsible for the violence. It is not clear how many people were wounded.
In today's violence follows yesterday's shooting in Daraa in the southern region of Syria. Dozens of protestors had been killed in that city this week and funerals for protestors have sparked new demonstrations.
Earlier on CNN, we spoke with a doctor who witnessed yesterday's violence in Daraa. To protect his safety, we have agreed not to identify him. He described what he saw as security forces confronted unarmed protesters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: The protesters, they had no weapons whatsoever. They're just screaming, "We need our freedom, we need democracy." And the peoples attacking them, it's the security forces definitely, the snipers they brought from Damascus, and official forces to protect the president and his family.
(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said yesterday that at least 37 people including 2 children had been killed in Daraa, where he said authorities have used live ammunition and teargas against protesters.
As this conflict is playing out in Syria, a police crackdown may have led to a bizarre confession on Syrian state television. A man with Egyptian and U.S. citizenship admits he tried to sell images of Syria to Israel, an official enemy. CNN has learned the man is Mohamed Radwan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMED RADWAN, EGYPTIAN-AMERICAN DETAINED IN SYRIA (through translator): There were people from the outside of the country who corresponded with me and asked me about the situation. So one day I received an e-mail and it said, "are you prepared to help someone who speaks Spanish?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: On television, Radwan says through connections in Columbia, he tried to sell pictures and information about Syria for what would be about $16 a photo. That's according to the news agency "Sana."
Tarek Radwan is the man's brother. He joins us by phone from Washington.
Tarek, do you know what charge your brother has been detained under, and is he accused of being a spy here?
TAREK RADWAN, BROTHER OF SYRIA DETAINEE: As far as I know, no official charges have been brought against my brother. They're stopping just short of calling him a spy. But, you know, there's very little information coming out right now.
LEMON: Tarek, what was your reaction when you saw your brother confessing on Syrian state television?
TAREK RADWAN: Well, at first I was shocked. I mean, this was completely bizarre. My brother is a politically aware person, but to be involved in some sort of massive conspiracy against the Syrians is just complete nonsense. And it's -- and then I was angry because this isn't the first time that a regime has tried or has pressured people into confessions. I don't know if this is what happened with my brother. However, I mean, just looking at this I'm very skeptical that anything that he said in that video is true.
LEMON: All right. Well, the latest tweet from your brother yesterday noted the fall of the Umayyad mosque. Was he a political activist in Syria?
TAREK RADWAN: Absolutely not. As I said, my brother is a politically aware person. He has been involved in the demonstrations from Tahrir. You know, being Egyptian himself. However, he's been very careful to remain neutral with regard to Syria. My brother works for my father's company in Damascus, and as a result he's been very conscious not to put that company or its operations in jeopardy. So, just seeing this is just -- I mean, it just drives me crazy.
LEMON: So I talked about the last tweet, but when was the last time you saw your brother, heard from your brother, and did he tell you about any of this?
TAREK RADWAN: Well, we were on the phone a little over a year ago. Not a year ago, sorry. A week ago. And he did say that he was thinking about going to Jordan. I don't know if he actually did. And I had not heard from him since.
LEMON: All right. Tarek Radwan, thank you very much. Best of luck to you and your family.
TAREK RADWAN: Thank you.
LEMON: Syria, Yemen and Libya, the latest countries in turmoil. And tomorrow night here on CNN, we'll take a look at how the events unfolded, what the future holds for different nations and what it means to the U.S. and the world.
Watch "UPRISING: REGION IN REVOLT," it's tomorrow night 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
She carved a political path for the women who would follow her. Geraldine Ferraro has died, and we'll hear from her former running mate and several New York politicos about her life and her legacy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: The first woman chosen to be on a major party presidential ticket has died. Geraldine Ferraro was the Democrat's choice for vice president on the ticket with Walter Mondale back in 1984.
She also was elected to Congress three times from New York. Mondale and Ferraro would lose to Ronald Reagan and George Bush in a landslide, but Ferraro's place in history was secure. Her family says the 75-year-old Ferraro died of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer she had battled for 12 years. Mondale today described his friend and former running mate as a gutsy pioneer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTER MONDALE, FERRARO'S FORMER RUNNING MATE (via telephone): She was a very close friend and we went through all of that history together, and we've been friends ever since. And she had a tough, tough fight with that cancer. And, you know, we're going to miss her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That's a voice of Walter Mondale praising his friend Geraldine Ferraro.
And joining me now are three people very familiar with Geraldine Ferraro in the rough and tumble world of New York politics as well.
Representative Charles Rangel, he joined the House in 1971 and he served alongside Geraldine Ferraro in the New York delegation.
Reverend Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and former presidential candidate.
And joining us by phone is former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and the host of CNN's "IN THE ARENA."
Thanks to all of you for joining us.
Reverend Sharpton, you worked with her on voter registration. You also ran against her at one point.
What will you remember about her?
REV. AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: I remember Geraldine Ferraro when she ran in '84 for vice president, because it was the first time a woman was on the national ticket.
You know, as a teenager, I worked in Shirley Chisholm's campaign for president and to go in my own light from Shirley Chisholm running to actually seeing a woman on the ticket was something of a major achievement. And in '92 we both were in the U.S. Senate primaries in New York. And we got to know each other well and it led to a long relationship.
She would come and speak at our national convention. She helped us with voter registration. She was always a very passionate fighter and took very seriously her role as a woman who broke the ceiling in terms of national presidential politics.
LEMON: And Representative Rangel, what was it like to work alongside her?
REP. CHARLIE RANGEL (D), NEW YORK (via telephone): She was a very exciting member. I remember when she came in -- attractive, intelligent, soft as silk and hard as nails. She really fitted in the congressional delegation and I was one of the early people out there with Walter Mondale.
And when we were meeting, and I heard that her name was being recommended for vice president, I was surprised but so excited that it was our New York person that was -- that was being considered and we fought and we won. And I was so flattered when she finally was appointed on television. She named me among the people that had fought for her nomination, and then she was a beast, big boost to the ticket and she's a heck of a person. And she's had a lot of setbacks in that campaign, but she always came out smiling.
LEMON: And Eliot Spitzer, you know, she was a politico and then she became a member of the CNN family much as you have.
ELIOT SPITZER, CNN HOST, "IN THE ARENA" (via telephone): Right. LEMON: I want you to listen to this "CROSSFIRE" interview, where she is actually hosting "CROSSFIRE," and then we'll talk about how tough she was under fire. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GERALDINE FERRARO, HOST, "CROSSFIRE": And as someone who campaigned very, very well and Bill Clinton was the campaigner and had a message and got it across, but I have to tell you something.
I've been listening to his resolutions. I don't know about you Kate, but I don't make resolutions anymore. I stopped doing that when I was a kid. I used to, I made all kinds of resolutions -- lose weight, stop smoking and all these things. Stopped doing that. I have determined that all I'm concerned about now is the future. I want to be a good future for my kids and my grandchildren and that's -- that's what I think --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Eliot, is that good advice? She was always looking toward the future.
Did you take any of that advice to heart?
SPITZER: Let me tell you something. That is classic Geraldine. She was tough as nails, up to any fight, but always had her eye on what mattered.
And you know, I met her and got to know her really well in '98 when we were both running. I was running for attorney general; she was running for the Senate. And she took me aside, she said, you know what? Ignore the media. It's kind of funny because she ended up in the media. She said, ignore them. The public is going to look into your heart. They're going to know whether you're good, bad. They're going to figure you out. Authenticity was the hallmark of Geraldine Ferraro.
She had ups and downs. The media nice to her one day, kick her the next. And she said ignore all that. And what you just heard about focusing on what really mattered deep in her heart. That's why she was always happy, always smiling. As Charlie Rangel just said, she always could understand what really mattered.
LEMON: Did any of you, and you'll have to speak up, speak to her or talk to her during her time when she was battling cancer?
SPITZER: Oh, yes. I mean, over the past couple of years, I'd been in touch with her. She was always somebody you could go to for some wisdom, some advice and frankly over the past couple of years when she was battling, I just thought those of us and I, I'd been the beneficiary of her good, you know, advice over the years. I just would drop her notes and call her and say, "Geraldine, keep up the fight."
Everybody who ever got to know you is praying for you, because she was a special person at so many different levels. And so -- and her family would get back, she would get back. I got to know her kids a bit. She was just a rare, unique, witty, gutsy, good person.
LEMON: Representative Rangel, you want to add to that?
RANGEL: Well, I certainly hardly -- she never really said anything about the pain or the suffering that she was going through. I would see her at political affairs and she was more concerned about how I was doing than what she was going through. She kept her smile. She kept focused and quite frankly, even though you think these things can happen, you never really prepare for the shocking news that she has apparently left us. But what a fighter. What a great American she has been.
LEMON: All right. And Reverend Sharpton, we'll give you the last word here.
SHARPTON: No. I think that both Mr. Spitzer and Congressman Rangel summed it up. She was a fighter. I have seen her over the last several years at events, and she would sometimes come to where a lot of us have breakfast at The Regency. And she never seemed to want to have a sympathy from people. She was tough.
It was out that she had some form of cancer, but she would not talk about that. She was always Geraldine Ferraro. And I want to remember her that way, and I think American history will record she was the woman that was tough enough to become the first one to be on the national ticket for vice president of the United States. And she was compassionate enough to make people realize that that shouldn't be something exceptional. That should be something normal.
LEMON: Reverend Sharpton, Representative Rangel, Eliot Spitzer, thanks to all of you. Have a great evening.
And I have a programming note to tell you about. Tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright will join me to talk about events in the Middle East and to share her thoughts on the life and achievements of Geraldine Ferraro.
Geraldine Ferraro dead at the age of 75.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We want to update you right now on the crisis in Japan. There's growing concern tonight that high levels of radiation have made their way into the environment around the badly damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.
Japanese safety officials say ocean water 1,000 feet from the facility shows radiation levels of more than 1,200 times higher than normal. Plant workers right now are replacing seawater in three of the reactors with freshwater, an important step to restoring the cooling systems.
Let's check your top stories right now. A Libyan woman bursts into a Tripoli hotel, where journalists are staying and claimed that 15 members of Moammar Gadhafi's militia raped and beat her over a two-day period. Security moved quickly to shut her up, dragging her away to an uncertain fate. They roughed up journalists, smashing cameras including one of our own. The Libyan government claims the woman is being held safely right now.
Elsewhere in Libya, French war planes destroyed at least five Libyan combat planes and two helicopters in Misrata. The city is now one of the bloodiest fronts in this conflict. Gadhafi's tanks have started shelling the city once again. Rebels are trying to push back, but they only have light weapons.
A different story to the east where Libyan rebels have seized control of the key eastern city of Ajdabiya. Gadhafi's forces retreated after days of intense fighting.
(VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That right there is the sound of unrest in the Middle East bubbling up in Syria. CNN cannot independently verify this video posted on YouTube, but it matches reports from other news sources. You see people watching and cheering as an overturned vehicle burns. A few moments later, another vehicle was also overturned amid the unrest. Witnesses report security forces firing on unarmed protesters in some places.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in protest in London today. Demonstrators are trying to stop proposed belt tightening by the British government. 214 people were arrested. About 84 were hurt including 31 officers when police stepped in.
All right. Here in the U.S., if you bought a mega millions lottery ticket at a convenience store in Albany, New York, I want you to check your numbers. Lottery officials say one winning ticket was sold to a lucky winner. Winning numbers are 22, 24, 31, 52, 54 and mega ball 4. The owner of the winning ticket, if and when they come forward, has the option of taking the $319 million jackpot as a lump sum payment of $200 million. Hope that you do.
You know one of the whitest cities in America says it wants to get more diversity into its local demographics. And we'll tell you where it is and what they're doing to attract people of color.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Let's check some of the stories our affiliates are covering across the United States.
In Athens, Georgia, a dramatic surrender last night on live television. A group of people emerged with their hands up from an apartment building. Police say most of them were hostages of this man. Fugitive Jamie Hood who had taken refuge in the apartment. He had been the subject of an intense manhunt after a police officer was shot to death on Tuesday. At least one of the hostages appeared to be friends with Hood. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Only glad it end the way it end, you know what I'm saying.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jamie didn't do no harm to any of us and I just want to see a free Jamie.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: He agreed to surrender, but only on live television because he was afraid police would shoot him.
In Marin County, California, nonwhites are wanted. The wealthy county, a suburb of San Francisco contains seven of the ten whitest communities in the country. That's according to the latest Census data.
Our affiliate KPIX reports Marin County now plans to build more apartments and affordable housing and better enforce anti- discrimination housing laws. This is in response to federal housing authorities who accused the county of failing to comply with the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
And remember this Fox Sports video from when a whopper of a storm hit in December? The weight of snow caused several holes in the inflatable roof of the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Now as spring approaches, repairs have just begun. Over the next four months, crews will work ten-hour shifts, six days a week to get the roof fixed. It's going to costs $18.5 million, plus a bonus if work is done by August 1st.
Film critic Roger Ebert gave it three and a half stars and it got a huge fan following, but you probably haven't heard of it. An independent movie you need to follow. All the way to the Box Office. I'll talk to the stars of the film next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Time to talk about "What Matters" right now.
A new independent film is following its own path to the Box Office. There are no trailers or billboards, and no distribution from a major movie company. But that hasn't stopped the film "I Will Follow" from receiving rave reviews and huge support from fans.
I talked to the writer and director and two of the stars of the film to find out how they're doing it and about solutions to the so- called "Blackout in Hollywood."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Ava is in L.A., Salli is in New York, and Omari is in Atlanta, right here with me.
How are you doing, sir? OMARI: What's happening, Don?
LEMON: Good to see you. Good to see you, ladies. Thank you so much for joining us.
Ava, I want to start with you. It's an amazing film. It has gotten great reviews. Why should people watch?
AVA DUVERNAY, DIRECTOR/WRITER, "I WILL FOLLOW": Well, you know, I mean, we're basically offering something a little different than what the studios usually offer for African-American film goers and folks that are interested in diverse stories.
I mean, a lot of the studio films focus on broad comedy or on the shoot 'em up and a lot less on the character-driven drama. The intimate story about black folks being who they are -- loving, losing, learning from one another. So we hope our film kind of fills the void of the character-driven black drama that's kind of gone by the wayside.
LEMON: It's mostly black cast. It's not just a movie that appeals to African-Americans. It is universal.
OMARI HARDWICK, ACTOR: No, definitely universal. I think the theme obviously is universal. That being cancer. Even if you haven't dealt with it at a personal level in terms of your family, you definitely got friends who passed away from cancer so it speaks to a broadband.
LEMON: On that same note there, let's talk about -- we talked about African-Americans, their presence in Hollywood. There was a whole controversy about the Academy Awards this year. Where were the African-Americans?
Bill Maher saying, oh, I guess, you know, you had to be a swan if you were black in Hollywood to get a nomination.
It is a joke but partially true. How do you feel about that as a black filmmaker?
DUVERNAY: I feel like every year or so, every couple of years, there's a big conversation and there's a lot of dialogue about a lack of African-Americans or people of color in general on television or in film, and I just feel it's a little bit repetitive at this point.
I mean, I have had the conversation a lot, and I think the dialogue is important, but I'm really interested in how to push past that and actually create solutions, create films, distribute our films. Tell and share our stories, and I'd much rather have my energy there. And I think that certainly, you know, the Oscars, they were challenging to watch because it wasn't for lack of strong African- American films being made. But for whatever reason they weren't acknowledged this year by the Academy, and you know what? It's OK.
LEMON: I want to read something that Roger Ebert said. He gave your film three-and-a-half stars. I mean, Roger Ebert, that's pretty good. And in part he said, "This is a kind of film black filmmakers are rarely able to get made these days. Offering roles for actors who remind us here of their gifts."
And then he goes on, you know, to talk about your film. So what is that? If someone like Roger Ebert, who is a renowned critic says something like that, there's -- is there some truth to that?
SALLI RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD, ACTRESS: These films are being made. But you as an audience are not given the opportunity to see them because there's no way to get that film out to the public.
LEMON: So listen. Omari, you were given the rising star award for black women in film. So they said you're the next Denzel.
HARDWICK: No, man. No.
LEMON: I know. Don't you hate it? I don't want to be the next Denzel. I don't want to be the next Bryant (ph). I want to be the next Omari.
Is that what you're thinking?
HARDWICK: Sure. How humbling, right?
LEMON: Yes, absolutely, absolutely.
HARDWICK: To be associated with somebody of that prowess is obviously something that I will take not lightly. That is a big duty and a big responsibility.
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: You know what I wanted to say to that, that brings us back to what we're talking about because there always seems to be only one that can be the next.
LEMON: Yes. Good point.
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: In Hollywood, there can be about 20 of them at the same time.
HARDWICK: Sure.
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: And now we have to hope that Omari can be the one that they're going to let through. And there has to be a way that we can have ten or 20 of us who are working all at the same time and not have to depend on one actress or one leading man to lead us all, you know, into the promised land.
LEMON: Can you talk to us because I think it's important to tell us about the AAFRM.
DUVERNAY: Yes. The African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement. We call it a firm. And that's how we're releasing "I Will Follow." "I Will Follow" that being released through a traditional studio system. It's being released through a collective of African- American film organizations around the country who will be the first -- will orchestrate the first national simultaneous theatrical release of a film entirely through grassroots means.
It's the first time in history that has been done and we're really excited.
LEMON: In 10 years or in 15 years, do you think that I'll be sitting here, because sometimes I am. You know, I've been doing this longer than 10 or 15 years, asking the same question --
HARDWICK: You look good, man. Your look young.
LEMON: Thank you.
Asking you the same sorts of questions about African-American films and about, you know, roles and awards and that sort of thing. Or do you think we will have progressed by then?
HARDWICK: I have to believe that we would have progressed by then. I mean, if we have an African-American woman being the first who's initiate such a program of releasing movies at a larger distribution level then I got to believe that we'll progress.
LEMON: Ava, I'm going to give you the last word here.
DUVARNEY: I think the only way to make sure that we are not having the same conversation about the lack of images of African- American images in the larger kind of mainstream cinema is to create new models, is to recognize the traditional studio models are collapsing and that the door is wide open for us to create new ways to tell and share our stories. If we just keep singing the same old song then we'll be singing the same old song. I'm ready to dance to something new.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right. On Twitter, it's at IWillFollow film. And to find a theater playing this film, go to IWillFollowFilm.com for more information.
The loss of film legend Elizabeth Taylor this week has revived memories of her beauty and generosity, as well as questions about just how big a legacy she has left behind. We'll go live to Los Angeles for the very latest.
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ELIZABETH TAYLOR, ACTRESS: My life has been like a yo-yo. I have been up and down so many times. I've been in favor, out of favor so many times. At the moment, life is very calm and I'm enjoying the calm.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Eternal calm for Elizabeth Taylor after she died Wednesday at the age of 79 of congestive heart failure. Now the world is waiting to hear what the mega movie star left behind.
CNN Wire Entertainment editor Alan Duke joins us now from Los Angeles.
Alan, do we know what's in her will?
ALAN DUKE, EDITOR, CNN WIRE ENTERTAINMENT: No. We are waiting on its filing in probate court in Los Angeles County. And I have seen estimates that her estate could be worth $600 million. She leaves four children who could be heirs. I think ten grandchildren and awful lot of money. But also she leaves the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation that does work with AIDS. So there are a number of charities that could be in line to get her inheritance, and we'll find out I think soon.
LEMON: Yes. And obviously, a lot of real estate. And it's not just real estate that made her rich, Alan. You say there are quite an art collection that may go to auction from her estate.
DUKE: Yes. I was talking today with a Beverley Hills art gallery owner and he was saying that it's probably going to be a very big auction. I think Christie's is usually where she auctions her things. But she has been collecting jewelry, had a passion for it and of course has over the years at times owned some of the most famous jewels in the world, but her dad actually moved to Los Angeles to open an art gallery back I think 1939, and so she was a collector of art. And you can only imagine what is in her collection. Her brother I think was even an art collector. So we don't even know what she has, but it should be very substantial and when it is sold, if it is sold at auction, it's going to be a very big event.
LEMON: You can think about the stars of her era and even up a bit before, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Judy Garland.
Was there ever a bigger star than Elizabeth Taylor?
DUKE: Well, she crossed a lot of generations into mine and yours. But she started as a very young girl in 1942, I believe. And really, really young. She had a very long career.
Of course, by the late '70s, she pretty much had finished movie making. She did some work after that. But during that span of 30 or 40 years, she was at some of the biggest movies and of course two Academy Awards.
LEMON: She will be missed. Thank you very much for that, Alan Duke, in Los Angeles.
And when we come right back, a check on the stories making headlines, including the latest of a woman in Libya who says she was beaten and raped by Moammar Gadhafi's henchmen.
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LEMON: You have seen them in most cities. Cheap motels housing families struggling to stay one step ahead of homelessness. When a chef in Anaheim, California learned just how many motel kids often go hungry, well, he began serving up a solution, one plate at a time. This week's CNN Hero is Bruno Serato.
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BRUNO SERATO, CNN HERO: I came to this country 30 years ago. I love to cook. To be in the restaurant business, you must love people.
How is your lunch, ladies?
In 2005, my mom was here on vacation from Italy. I said, mom, let's go to the boys and girls club. This little boy five years old eating potato chips for his dinner. He was a motel kid. I find out a poor family who has nothing else, you live in a motel. The motel environment is extremely bad. Drugs, prostitution, alcoholics, it's horrible.
When they go back after school, there's no dinner, there's no money. Mom said, Bruno, you must feed them the pasta. I'm Bruno Serato. I listen to my momma. Now my mission is feeding hungry children. Six years ago we started feeding the kids. When the recession came, customers dropped and the children doubled. I don't give the kids leftovers. I cook them fresh pasta.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bruno brings a tray in and all the kids, they start getting excited.
SERATO: Are you hungry? Are you hungry?
Right now we have between 150 to 200 kids seven days a week. Who likes the pasta? My mom, she made me start. Now I could never stop. They're customers, my favorite customers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And Bruno has served more than 270,000 dinners out of the past six years. And remember all of this year's CNN Heroes are chosen from people you tell us about. So to nominate someone you know who's making a big difference in your community, go to CNNHeroes.com.
Several big developments in just the past few hours from Libya to tell you about.
A Libyan woman bursts into a Tripoli hotel, where journalist were staying and claims that 15 members of Moammar Gadhafi's militia raped and beat her over a 2-day period. Security moved quickly to shut her up, dragging her away to an uncertain fate. They roughed up journalists, smashing cameras including one of our own. The Libyan government claims the woman is being held safely right now.
Elsewhere in Libya, French war planes destroyed at least five Libyan combat planes and two helicopters in Misrata. The city is now one of the bloodiest fronts in this conflict. Gadhafi's tanks have started shelling the city once again. Rebels are trying to push back, but they only have light weapons to work with. A different story to the east where Libyan rebels have seized control of the key eastern city of Ajdabiya. Gadhafi's forces retreated after days of intense fighting.
Of course, we'll continue to follow the breaking news coming out of Libya as well as the rest of the Middle East and North Africa here on CNN. So make sure you stay tuned, as well as the breaking news in Japan.
I'm Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. Thank you for watching. I'll see you back here tomorrow night 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
Good night and, again, thanks for watching.
