Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

40th Anniversary Teach-In: Evaluating the American Empire

11. March 2005 • Murph
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Press release received by e-mail:

40th Anniversary Teach-In: Evaluating the American Empire
Thursday March 24, 2005, 7pm Angell Hall Auditoria,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

All are invited and encouraged to participate in the 40th Anniversary Teach-In on the American Empire on March 24 at 7pm. The teach-in is being organized by students, faculty and community members in order to educate and explore the complex connections and consequences of the American Empire. It will include speakers, discussion workshops, art, music, and a midnight rally

The first teach-in ever was held by faculty at the University of Michigan in protest and exploration of the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. More than 3,000 students attended the lectures, discussions, and rally. The teach-in set a bold example for other college campuses and sent a strong message of dissent to the United States government. As were the organizers of the first teach-in, we remain particularly concerned with the effects of our country’s global policies and social ideologies on us, and the world. In addition, we cannot ignore local and pressing issues such as race, class, and gender inequalities.

The event will begin unofficially at 6pm with a “Call to Attendâ€? by students at the Posting Wall in Mason Hall. At 7pm participants will move to the Angell Hall auditoria for introductory speeches which will present an outline of the connections of American Empire and its global impacts, as well as the local and individual consequences. Speakers are yet to be announced. Two sessions of workshops will be held from 8pm-9:30 pm and 10:30pm- 12am on the following topics: the War in Iraq, 9/11 and the War on Terror, the Israel/Palestine Conflict, Globalization and Trade: IMF/WTO/NAFTA, Environmental Policy and Climate Change, Racism as a Justification for Empire, Media, and Consumerism and Mass Culture. Multiple discussion leaders of varying viewpoints will be present in each workshop room as a source of information on these respective topics. Each workshop will include a discussion facilitator who will ensure that all participants have the opportunity to contribute. There will be a break between discussions at 9:30 for collective art, music, and the collective creation of the “Wall of Dots” which will illustrate the connections of the American Empire. Student groups will also be present with information on their respective causes. The Teach-In will culminate in a midnight rally on the Diag with an open microphone. Further discussion is encouraged to continue after the rally.

For more information e-mail teachin2005@umich.edu or visit the website www.teachin2005.org