The International Human Rights Day celebration, featuring renowned grassroots activist Ajamu Baraka, will be held Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. in the Eugene Atrium building.
Baraka, a 20-year veteran of social and economic justice advocacy, now serves as the executive director of the 1,500-strong US Human Rights Network and previously served in various leadership capacities with Amnesty International’s domestic chapter.@@http://www.ushrnetwork.org/@@
“This is an opportunity for everyone to understand that they are a part of a global community,” said Baraka, “The language and the perspective that the global community uses to address concerns and aspirations for the future is one of human rights.”
His speech will analyze, among other things, the triggers that lead to weak political states and thus war, mass poverty and marginalization by race, gender and other prejudices.
“Not everyone has the same easy lives that we do,” said University anthropology student Amber Provost, who plans to attend the event. “It’s great to see people wanting to come together to galvanize their beliefs and realize that they can improve things.”@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Amber+Provost@@
Baraka is known for his work in the “Black Liberation Movement,” anti-apartheid campaign, Central American solidarity struggles, and efforts lent to the National Program to Abolish the Death Penalty.@@http://www.ajamubaraka.com/about/@@
As a political science professor, Baraka has taught students at Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. As a guest lecturer, he has visited many cities and academic institutions throughout the country. This will be his first visit to Eugene.
“I’m proud of the groundbreaking human rights work that the city of Eugene has developed a reputation for,” Baraka said.
He was invited by event organizer and Eugene Human Rights Commission Vice-Chair Ken Neubeck.
“We expect attendees to include a variety of people, not just members of local social justice groups,” Neubeck said. “We welcome those concerned with local rights issues such as homelessness, the integration of immigrants into the community, marriage equality for same-sex couples, environmental defense, supporting mental health system survivors and so forth.”
The Eugene Atrium is located at 99 West 10th Avenue, across from the main bus station downtown. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Refreshments will be served 30 minutes in advance.