This song is dedicated to the dismantling of racism in our country and around the world.
About the Song and Video
I’m Heather Wertheimer of Shantala. Here’s the story of this song and the video project.
The same week George Floyd was murdered in spring of 2020, a friend of mine was verbally attacked because of her color when she was driving in the streets of her city. These events led me to write and record this song called “I Will Stand With You.”
To create the song video, I consulted with Ayisha Elliott, who is an advisor on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Ayisha and her son are survivors of police violence after being attacked in Eugene, Oregon.
I invited Ayisha to tell her story as part of the video. She felt that the most effective way to tell her story was to film a reenactment of what happened to her and her son. Portland filmmaker Elijah Hasan filmed the reenactment of Ayisha’s story as a very powerful way to help people get inside her experience. Ayisha portrayed herself in the short film called “Help Wanted.”
Musicians
Heather Wertheimer — vocals and guitar
Benjy Wertheimer — piano and keyboards
Tyia Wilson — vocals
Bibi McGill — electric guitar
Morgan Doctor — drum kit
Jared May — bass
Other Credits
“I Will Stand With You” song video was produced and edited by Elijah Hasan.
Music audio recorded and mixed by Benjy Wertheimer.
Audio remix and mastering by Dean Baskerville.
Friends provided photos of themselves holding signs with anti-racist messages that were included in the video.
Karen Bayard, whose Facebook video inspired me to write the song in 2020, appears in the video as well.
Ayisha Elliott website: Black Girl From Eugene
Help Wanted Trailer
Trailer for the short film “Help Wanted.”
Story
The film is a reenactment of the true story of Ayisha Elliott and her son, who were assaulted by police officers in Eugene, OR.
When Ayisha’s son was experiencing a mental health crisis, she called her local mental health crisis unit. The crisis unit was closing for the day, so they sent the police instead, without informing Ayisha. Ayisha was badly hurt and had a very long recovery from the assault.
Cast of Help Wanted
(in order of appearance)
Ronald Smith as Ayisha’s son
Ayisha Elliott as herself
Police officers:
Christopher Massey
Marty Beaudet
Matthew Woodman
Dan Kyle
Other Credits
Help Wanted was filmed and produced by Portland filmmaker Elijah Hasan. Executive Producer is Heather Wertheimer of Shantala. Associate Producer is Marty Beaudet.
Trailer created by Marty Beaudet.
Funding provided by the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) and private donors on GoFundMe.