KNOXVILLE — Sister Helen Prejean, the internationally known anti-death-penalty activist whose work was made into a Hollywood film, will speak at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, during Human Rights Week, April 4-8.
The week’s events are sponsored by the UT Knoxville chapter of Amnesty International, the worldwide human rights organization, and the departments of Sociology and Religious Studies. The events will cover a variety of topics designed to bring awareness to human rights issues in the Knoxville community.
Prejean’s talk, “Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues,” is set for noon Friday, April 8, in the Shiloh Room of the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center. Prejean will discuss capital punishment and the criminal justice system. The talk is free and open to the public. A book signing will be held following the talk in room 225 of the University Center. Public parking is available in the parking garage adjacent to the University Center.
Other events during Human Rights Week:
The topic for Monday, April 4, is crisis prevention and response. Events include a screening of the documentary film “God Grew Tired of Us,” a 2006 Sundance award- winning film that chronicles the arduous journey of three young southern Sudanese men, at 3:30 p.m. in room 252 of Hodges Library. A roundtable discussion with UT professors, the organization African ELI, and Sudanese students from Maryville College will take place at 6 p.m. in the University Center Shiloh Room. A kickoff reception for Human Rights Week will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center Hermitage Room. All students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited.
On Tuesday, April 5, the topic is environmental justice and corporate accountability.
Events include a screening of “Trouble the Water,” an Academy Award nominee documentary film, at 5:30 p.m. in room 234 of Hodges Library. Following the film, a discussion session will be held on the topic of why justice and corporate accountability are part of Amnesty International’s Demand Dignity Campaign and why it matters in Tennessee.
Maternal health is the topic for Wednesday, April 6. Ahsen Chaudhry, a surgeon from Nashville, will discuss the medical complications that women face after childbirth due to improper care and system inequalities. The presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in Hodges Library auditorium.
On Thursday, April 7, the topic is immigrant and refugee rights. Hear from UT professors, representatives from the Bridge refugee resettlement agency in Knoxville, and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition in a panel discussion regarding the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in the Knoxville community. The event is set for 7 p.m. in room 123 of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building.
For additional information, call 901-315-3829 or e-mail amnestyutk@gmail.com.
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CONTACT:
Rosalind Hackett, UT Religious Studies (865-974-6980, rhackett@utk.edu)
Charles Primm, UT Media Relations (865-974-5180, primmc@utk.edu)