From The Boys Who Said No | Original Article

Dear Friends and Supporters of The Boys Who Said NO!
 

It is with great sorrow that we write to let you know that the initiator and producer of our film, Christopher Colorado Jones, died on June 29 from a head injury suffered the night before. He fell from a ladder while adjusting a Pride flag on his home on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

Christopher’s death occurred almost exactly six years after he organized a reunion of draft resisters at David Harris’s home in Mill Valley that launched the Boys film in early July 2013. 

We are all shocked and deeply saddened by his sudden death. As the film’s director and advisory committee, we remain committed to completing the film to which Christopher passionately dedicated the last six years of his life as an unpaid, independent producer. His husband and co-producer, Bill Prince, is also committed to fulfilling his vision.

Born in the Bay Area, Christopher wrote his local draft board in 1967 that he would refuse to register for the draft when he turned 18 because he opposed the Vietnam War “for reasons of conscience.” Tried three times, he was eventually convicted and served 9 months in Safford Federal Prison Camp in 1971.

While in prison, Christopher documented prison life with a home movie camera he smuggled in (footage we are using in the film) and kept a notebook on prison corruption he observed. David Harris, who was imprisoned with Christopher for a time, said, “I think he was the bravest of us all” for his willingness to go to prison despite his youth and small stature.

After his release, Christopher spent seven years as the director of the Agape Foundation, which funded nonviolent social action projects. He later earned a double Masters in Social Work and Public Health at UC Berkeley and moved to Seattle in 1987 to work as a health administrator. He was especially proud of being on the Washington state Governor’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS, which created Washington’s first large-scale HIV treatment programs.

He and Bill moved to San Francisco in 2012, and the following year Christopher organized the reunion of draft resisters that was the beginning of the film. 

Throughout his life, Christopher had a fierce and tireless dedication to nonviolence and social justice, and this film is his legacy. Christopher believed this important but little-known story of young people resisting war needed to be told and could be inspirational for those involved in today’s struggles.

We feel some solace in the fact that, prior to his death, we had a full 90 minute fine cut of the film that Christopher had an opportunity to view and to share his input. It exists in large part thanks to his unwavering efforts that raised $600,000 to date from more than 1,000 supporters like you.

Christopher was last focused on seeking to raise the funds still needed to purchase archival footage and music rights, complete the final edit of the film, and promote its release so it could be viewed through broadcast and public screenings for years to come.

We pledge to redouble our efforts to bring his dream to fruition and honor his memory by finishing the film.

As a friend and supporter of the film, please join with us to honor Christopher and help fulfill his legacy by making a donation to complete the film this year.

Christopher faced, and met, enormous challenges during his life, yet maintained a bright and hopeful attitude. He would offer “hugs and kisses” to all who helped and would often close with “Love and struggle.”  
In his memory, we continue.
 

Love and Struggle,

Bill Prince, Co-Producer      Judith Ehrlich, Director
Bob Cooney, Advisor           Barbara Myers, Advisor 
Steve Ladd, Advisor            Robert Levering, Advisor
Sara Wood Smith, Advisor  Lee Swenson, Advisor     

 Bill Prince, Joan Baez, Christopher Jones