by Jessica Carreras
On Saturday, Nov. 22, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan will host their annual dinner at the Hyatt Regency of Dearborn.
During the event, ACLU staff will speak about the election results and current civil liberties issues in the state and across the nation. They will also be honoring both a local attorney and local organization.
Co-honoree David Moran has been a cooperating attorney with the ACLU of Michigan for many years and represented the organization in three criminal cases before the United States Supreme Court. He worked as a criminal appellate defense attorney at the State Appellate Defenders Office for over 10 years and then began teaching law at Wayne State University. This year, he joined the law faculty at the University of Michigan where he founded an Innocence Project.
The Arcus Foundation, which works both to further LGBT rights and to save great apes around the world, will also be honored. Through its pioneering work, the Arcus Foundation, led by Michigan billionaire Jon Stryker, works to change the philanthropic culture in Michigan by supporting and leveraging support for non-profit organizations that advocate for human rights and work for broader social change. Arcus focuses its philanthropy in Michigan on advancing social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race and recently added two priority areas – Religion & Values and the Michigan Racial & Economic Justice Initiative, which fights poverty and racial injustice in Michigan.
The keynote speaker at the event will be longtime civil rights activist and world famous singer and actor Harry Belafonte.
Belafonte is best known for his unique style of Calypso music that pioneered the sound in t he United States with hits like "The Banana Boat Song" and "Matilda."
One of his most celebrated moments as an entertainer involved his singing of the spiritual song, "Turn the World Around" on Sesame Street in 1972, which he performed with the Muppets. It has become one of the most famous performances in the series and is the theme of this year's ACLU dinner. "When we said it, we didn't yet know who would be our president elect, but we felt that the theme would speak to positive change regardless," said Executive Director Kary Moss. "We thought it would be a very positive way to start the new administration and the new year.
The scheduling of Belafonte was also done before the election, and is made all the more relevant given his history of civil rights activism.
Belafonte's activism work has spanned decades. He is known for his incredible leadership during the marches in Selma and Montgomery, Ala., as well as the Freedom March in Washington, D.C. in 1963, and he has continued to create a legacy that is unique in American history.
In 2005, Belafonte founded "the Gathering for Justice" to address the plight of children in the criminal justice system and to pass the torch from the elders of the civil rights movement to the next generation of prepared young leaders.
In 2001, he and his former wife set up the Harry and Julie Belafonte Fund for HIV/AIDS, and he has been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for 20 years and received countless accolades for work in Africa and the civil rights movement.
In addition, Belafonte is known as a recording artist, concert singer, a movie, Broadway and television star, as well as a producer. He has received a Tony, four Grammys (including a lifetime achievement award) and the first ever Emmy for an African-American.
"It is truly an honor to have such a committed advocate for social justice addressing our supporters after this historic election," said Moss. "Mr. Belafonte is not only a consummate entertainer, he is a man who has dedicated himself to the rights and liberties that we so cherish in this country. For years, he has been on the front lines against the Bush administration's countless abuses of power and we are excited to hear him speak."
The reception will begin at 6:30 for the ACLU of Michigan event, with dinner and the program at 7:30. Tickets are still available for $150 for ACLU members and $200 for non-members. Honorary Host VIP tickets may be purchased for $1,000 and include a special reception with Harry Belafonte and the honorees of the night. For reservations, go to http://www.aclumich.org.
