Spring Break
Weeklong Festival Celebrates Human Rights
Jessica Silber
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: News
On Tuesday, the action can be found at the Café Under Putnam beginning at 7 p.m. in the form of a Fair Trade Coffee Night. Attendees can sit back, sip their Fair Trade coffee and munch on their Fair Trade chocolate while listening and participating in an open mic evening where thoughts on human rights will be expressed through poetry, music, and discussion.
Wednesday features another screening of films at the Konover Auditorium, this time "No Logo" at 1 PM followed by a panel no activism featuring local activists, and a screening of "A Closer Walk" at 7 p.m.
Hillel will host a "No Sweat Fashion Show" on Thursday at 7 p.m. According to its Facebook event Web site, "This fun, social event aims to show that your shopping choices can make a difference!" UConn student models will strut down the catwalk sporting clothing not made in sweatshops. A $2.00 ticket can be purchased for a chance to win a Fair Trade clothing item.
The week draws to a close Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. with a festival that would win approval from the Woodstock generation. In rain or shine on Fairfield Way, huge tents will house student organizations, vendors, and charities: Crea, a labor rights organization based in Hartford, and Save the Children, an international organization for children's rights, will be represented. But the highlight will be the music festival, featuring an extensive list of bands based on campus, UConn performance groups, and professional touring acts.
"Speakers are important, films are important, but the music is what draws people in," Corkery explained. "We're not forcing opinions on anyone, and nobody will be preaching. Human rights goes beyond politics; hopefully, this event will lead to other schools getting excited about it."
In fact, Corkery plans to take the festival on the road to tour other campuses. Brand agrees that the potential of the festival should be far-reaching.
"The ultimate goal is to have this be a standing thing, every year," Brand said.
Whatever its future, the Human Rights Awareness Festival's journey begins at UCONN on Monday, April 9th.
Wednesday features another screening of films at the Konover Auditorium, this time "No Logo" at 1 PM followed by a panel no activism featuring local activists, and a screening of "A Closer Walk" at 7 p.m.
Hillel will host a "No Sweat Fashion Show" on Thursday at 7 p.m. According to its Facebook event Web site, "This fun, social event aims to show that your shopping choices can make a difference!" UConn student models will strut down the catwalk sporting clothing not made in sweatshops. A $2.00 ticket can be purchased for a chance to win a Fair Trade clothing item.
The week draws to a close Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. with a festival that would win approval from the Woodstock generation. In rain or shine on Fairfield Way, huge tents will house student organizations, vendors, and charities: Crea, a labor rights organization based in Hartford, and Save the Children, an international organization for children's rights, will be represented. But the highlight will be the music festival, featuring an extensive list of bands based on campus, UConn performance groups, and professional touring acts.
"Speakers are important, films are important, but the music is what draws people in," Corkery explained. "We're not forcing opinions on anyone, and nobody will be preaching. Human rights goes beyond politics; hopefully, this event will lead to other schools getting excited about it."
In fact, Corkery plans to take the festival on the road to tour other campuses. Brand agrees that the potential of the festival should be far-reaching.
"The ultimate goal is to have this be a standing thing, every year," Brand said.
Whatever its future, the Human Rights Awareness Festival's journey begins at UCONN on Monday, April 9th.
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