'Singing for Justice' documentary honors musician Faith Petric, who defied the FBI and inspired generations

Faith Petric was an activist, organizer and folk singer. (Courtesy of Christie Herring)

An unsung hero of the San Francisco folk music scene sings the story of her life in an intimate new documentary, “Singing for Justice.” Ten years in the making, the film pays tribute to the extraordinary life and music of Faith Petric, an activist, organizer and folk singer who inspired generations of disciples while earning the suspicion of the FBI. She remained active until her death at age 98.

“Singing for Justice” will screen on April 19 at the Tara Theatre. Filmmaker Christie Herring joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to talk about Petric’s life.

“She was a musician for most of her life, but mostly, it was in the background,” said Herring. She continued, “It wasn’t until she retired that music became her vocation, and she said that the best part of her life started after she retired at age 55.”