Social Justice Organizing Workshop to Be Held

      Eastern University is a community involved in social justice, as implied by its motto, Faith, Reason and Justice. Eastern’s Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice seeks to realize the true potential of justice at Eastern by incorporating applied research and social action to the field. As part of this goal, the Campolo Institute will be conjointly hosting “Be the Change,” an organizing and empowering social justice workshop that seeks to educate the community not only  on relevant social justice issues, but also on action plans that can bring about the change that will affirm and deepen Eastern’s commitment to the organizing of social justice. The discussion will focus on the contemporary issues that have caused many stories of injustice in our communities and country. As a faith community, the organizers believe, it is important for us to come together, learn how we can “be the change” and ask ourselves, “How do we act as agents of change and bring about justice in the world?” The entire Eastern community is invited to this event. The organizers would like you to keep this question in mind if you choose to go: “Will you be the voice for justice?”

      “Be the Change” will be a full-day conference and workshop held this Saturday, March 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Eagle Great Room and Eagle Learning Center. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and it is free for all students and $5 for non-students. Registration is required for all attendees online or at the door.

       There will be various intellectuals speaking on issues such as immigration, mass incarceration, youth justice, environmental justice/climate change and LGBTQ+ issues. There will be breakout sessions during which students and other invited guests will learn about different tools for change. There will also be a panel session during which specific issues, such as interfaith organizing and effective allies, will be deliberated. Some of the guest speakers will be Candace McKinley from Black Lives Matter, Anita Colon from the PA Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, Dr. Dave Kaib from American University, Nora Elmarzouky from Al-Bustan and Peter Pedemonti from New Sanctuary Movement. Eastern’s very own faculty members will be speaking on various topics and issues, including Dr. Drick Boyd, Dr. Rebecca Hays, Dr. Sharon Gramby-Sobukwe, Dr. Lindy Backues, Professor Jo Saba, Dr. Yolanda Turner, Dr. Kimberlee Johnson, Professor Lori Baynard and Professor Alexios Alexander. Audacity, the spoken word club, will also be performing at this event.

      Source: eastern.edu