December 17, 2002

DANNY GLOVER AND BILL FLETCHER OF TRANSAFRICA TO SPEAK AT BOISE STATE

Danny Glover, acclaimed actor and human rights activist, and Bill Fletcher, president of TransAfrica Forum, will give the keynote speech at Boise State University’s Martin Luther King Jr./Human Rights celebration. Glover’s and Fletcher’s address, at 8 p.m. on Jan. 22 in The Pavilion, will focus on presenting alternative perspectives on the economic, political and moral ramifications of national and global policy regarding Africa.

Admission is free, but complimentary tickets, available at the Student Union information desk and The Pavilion Box Office, are recommended. Tickets are also available at Select-a-Seat outlets for a $1 service charge per ticket. To have tickets mailed to you call Select-a-Seat at 426-1494. A service charge will apply. Seats will be held until 7:45 p.m. for guests with tickets. After 7:45 p.m. guests with or without tickets will be admitted for remaining seats.

Glover has been an entertainment icon for over 20 years, working as an actor, producer and director in television, film and theatre. Winner of more than 10 entertainment industry awards, Glover’s projects, such as "The Color Purple" and "Beloved," have showcased his versatility and placed him at the forefront of Hollywood’s leading men.

Glover has also been involved in the global struggle for human rights. Appointed a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Program, he has worked as an advocate for people of African descent worldwide. Currently serving as the chairman of the board of TransAfrica Forum, Glover is well suited to discuss the issues facing the continent of Africa and its people. For his activist work, he won the first annual William Kunstler Racial Justice Award, Amnesty International’s Lifetime Achievement Award and an Essence Award.

Fletcher, a long-time activist and organizer, was named president of TransAfrica Forum in January 2002. Drawing on his many years of work with labor and social justice for people of African descent around the world, Fletcher coordinates a broad network of activists and researchers in providing policy alternatives and issue analysis in the areas of economics, health care, politics and national and global policy.

The TransAfrica Forum mission statement says, "The work of TransAfrica Forum is summarized by the words from a section of the declaration of the 5th Pan-African Congress (1945), which reads in part: ‘We believe the success of Afro-Americans is bound up with the emancipation of all African peoples and also all other dependent peoples and laboring classes everywhere.’" Glover and Fletcher, through their inspiration and hard work, are committed to creating a world in which every voice is heard and every person matters.

Glover’s and Fletcher’s visit will be part of Boise State’s weeklong focus on human rights, Jan. 15-22. The theme this year is "Free at Last?" Activities will include a march to the Capitol Building on Jan. 20, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration dinner sponsored by the Black Student Alliance on Jan. 15, a pre-screening of the documentary "Two Towns of Jasper" on Jan. 20 and numerous workshops and volunteer projects. For a schedule of events or more information about Boise State’s Martin Luther King Jr./Human Rights Celebration week activities, call 426-1223 or visit entertainment.boisestate.edu.

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Rob Meyer

Student Union and Activities

426-1223

Kathleen Craven

communications and marketing

426-3275

Patri Ann Thompson

communications and marketing

426-3196