Tennessee Human Rights Day Celebration Set for December 7

Human rights must be more than a dream. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) November 04, 2011 - A committee composed of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, Church of Scientology, My Global Voice, the United Nations Association and the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council will celebrate Human Rights Day December 7th from 4:30 - 6pm at the Nashville Downtown Public Library. The event is free and open to the general public.

International Human Rights Day occurs every year to commemorate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on Dec 10, 1948. In Tennessee, Human Rights Day has become a day to reflect and look at lessons learned and battles won, while various human rights groups join forces and commit to creating an even better future.

The celebration centers around Human Rights Lifetime Achievement awards. Awardees from 2010 included: the Rev. Dr. Don Beisswenger, retired Vanderbilt Divinity School professor, who was imprisoned in 2004 for his act of civil disobedience against the School of the Americas; Dr. Tommie Morton-Young, author, scholar and activist advocating for women, minorities, and the disadvantaged, who initiated hearings by the US Commission on Civil Rights on pay equity for women and minorities and school placement of students and Ms. Jocelyn Dan Wurzburg, J.D., attorney and civil rights activist, who authored Tennessee's first law on anti-discrimination in employment and public accommodations and founded the Memphis Chapter of the Panel of American Women to help heal the breach following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year the committee is looking to the future by introducing the "Rising Advocate" award, given to individuals who show great promise in the field of human rights. Rev. Brian Fesler, co-chair of the committee says, "In addition to acknowledging the work of our heroes, we want to inspire and empower the leaders of tomorrow. This is a time when advocates must rise up and demand justice, and we want to help make that happen."

The program will also feature speakers on various topics related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and art depicting various articles from the Declaration from area high school students. For those who can arrive early, there will be film showings in the library auditorium and informational displays in the lobby. "We still have room for a few more displays, and really want more art from the students," says Fesler, noting that interested persons and groups can register on the event's website.

For more information or to become involved with this year's celebration, visit www.nashvillehumanrights.org.

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