COMMUNITY FREE SPEECH FORUM

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
April 23, 2008

HUMAN RIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL TO FEATURE COMMUNITY FORUM

The University of Oklahoma chapter of Amnesty International will be hosting a community forum during "Groovefest" music festival this Sunday in Andrews Park to provide information and promote discussion about human rights issues.

The forum will be held in seven brief sessions, each with its own theme. The sessions will be moderated by OU Amnesty International members and other local activists.

Starting at one o'clock, there will be a short presentation about Human Rights focusing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 2008 marks the sixty year anniversary of this founding human rights document.

At 1:45, Kara Joy McKee will lead a session on non-violent communication.

At 2:30 session will cover the theme of the festival, "Use your vote to promote human rights."

The 3:15 session will consist of a short presentation and discussion about the 2007 report "Maze of Injustice: the failure to protect indigenous women from sexual violence in the USA." A significant portion of the research in the report was conducted in Oklahoma.

The 4:30 session will focus on human rights issues surrounding Guantanamo Bay and Amnesty International's "Denounce Torture" campaign.

At 5:45, OU students will present their thoughts in verse form for "Poetry of Dissent," followed by an open mic for other local poets.

At 7:00, local musician and OU student Rachel Kastner will share her thoughts and songs about freedom and political courage.

Groovefest began in 1986 as a musical gathering of Norman locals and has evolved into a forum for human rights awareness and community building. The biannual festival has become an important meeting place for local activists, artists, musicians, students, and families.


COMMUNITY FORUM SCHEDULE SUMMARY
1:00 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1:45 Non-violent communication
2:30 "Use Your Vote to Promote Human Rights"
3:15 The Maze of Injustice Report
4:30 Denounce Torture
5:45 Poetry of Dissent
7:00 Freedom and political courage