December 1, 2008

Rev. Wendell Anthony to speak at MCHR Human Rights Day program

The Michigan Coalition for Human Rights (MCHR) and Wayne State University's Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Human Rights Day from 6 - 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway, in Southfield. Detroit NAACP president Rev. Wendell Anthony will be the featured speaker.

The theme of this year's event is "Learn - Teach - Protect Human Rights: The Future of Detroit and the World Depends on Youth." Anthony and youth representatives from Detroit Summer, Jenny Lee and Starlet Lee, will address this theme.

"If ever there was a year to mark International Human Rights Day, this year is it," commented Anthony. "Not only is the 60th anniversary a milestone in the struggle for human dignity-it is a year in which the election of Barack Obama has given hope and inspiration to human rights activists in the U.S. and all over the world. I am honored that MCHR asked me to share this occasion with the community."

The event will feature a Human Rights Unity Fair in which human rights and civil rights groups from throughout the Detroit area will provide information about their organizations. Light refreshments will be served.

"Last year's MCHR human rights program drew more than 400 participants and we are hoping for even bigger attendance this year," said MCHR president Abayomi Azikiwe.

Since its adoption in 1948 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a source of inspiration for national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The declaration is the most translated document in the world - a testament to its universal nature and reach.

Sixty years on, we pay tribute to the extraordinary vision of the declaration's original drafters and to the many human rights defenders around the world who have struggled to make their vision a reality.

The declaration belongs to each and every one of us - and we hope it will be a guide to the future for young people - to read, learn, promote and claim it as their own.

MCHR has been involved in every important peace and human rights campaign in the greater Detroit area since it's founding in 1981 by faith-based and other community leaders.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students.