The story of civil rights leader and Monroe, North Carolina chapter president of the NAACP Robert F. Williams is getting the big-screen treatment with Negroes With Guns. Peace River Productions, created by actor Barry Pepper, is producing, according to Deadline. Jason Cabell, ex-Navy SEAL-turned screenwriter, will write the script and direct.

According to Deadline, the film will follow Williams’ time with the NAACP in Monroe and how he battled with the local KKK and racist officials at the local, state and federal levels. After being forced to exile in Cuba, he developed an international radio show in which he continued to lead anti-racist movements until the U.S. government jammed his radio signal, trying to stifle change.

Williams’ 1962 book, also titled Negroes with Guns, is said to be an inspiration for Huey P. Newton’s development of the Black Panther Party, and Williams’ ideology included encouraging Black Americans to arm themselves against racist white Americans. This ideology is what led to his exile and America’s insistence on blocking his messages to the world. The book was turned into the 2004 documentary, Negroes with Guns: Rob Williams and Black Power.

Pepper plans on securing a supporting role. No actor has yet been announced to play Williams.

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Robert F. Williams

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