Amy Goodman

Press Release: Media Activist and Human Rights Advocate to Speak at Caltech

Pasadena-Amy Goodman, media activist and co-host of Pacifica Radio's daily news magazine "Democracy Now!" will be the first speaker in the California Institute of Technology's 2000-2001 Social Activism Speaker Series on the Institute's Pasadena campus. The presentation, "Democracy Now! From East Timor to the United States," will take place on Friday, November 10, at 8 p.m. in the Beckman Institute auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

A staunch advocate for human rights, Goodman has reported on topics and issues related to Israel and the Occupied Territories, Cuba, Mexico, East Timor, Nigeria, Haiti, and was the first journalist ever to interview the jailed US citizen Lori Berenson, serving a life sentence as a political prisoner in Peru.

Goodman is the recipient of numerous awards for her radio documentaries and productions, including the Radio/Television News Directors Award, the Golden Reel for best national documentary, the George Polk Award for the best radio documentary, and awards for AP, UPI, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

This is the second year for the Social Activism Speaker Series, which is aimed at providing Caltech students with opportunities to utilize and apply their scientific/technical training to help resolve societal and global issues. The series introduces the Caltech student body, as well as the public, to people who have dedicated their lives to the improvement of society. This series is co-sponsored by the Caltech Y, the President's Office, Caltech Women's Center, Graduate Student Council, Graduate Dean, International Student Programs, Student Affairs, the Avery House, and Jack Edith Roberts.

The Social Activism Speaker Series will continue in 2001 with Mike Dolan, west coast director of Global Trade Watch, on Friday, January 26 at 8 p.m.; and Michelle Mascarenhas, president of the board of directors of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, on Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m.

The Beckman Institute auditorium is at 400 South Wilson Avenue. Parking is available in the Wilson parking structures across the street. For more details, call the Caltech Y at (626) 395-6163.