PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of the continuing commemoration of the Civil Rights Movement, the City is planning to host a wide range of events and discussions focusing on the theme of human rights in today's society. This will be the Dalai Lama's first trip to the United States' Deep South and specifically Alabama.
Last year, Birmingham launched the campaign "50 Years Forward: The Movement that Changed the World," an ongoing commemoration of the profound and often tragic events that took place in Birmingham starting in 1963 – events that led to positive, transformative, and lasting change. "Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail is a timeless text of moral authority that still today speaks to injustice around our world. And the echoes of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Sunday, September 15, 1963, still resonate in the hearts and minds of those committed to the cause of human rights for all. The innocent blood of children shed that day is representative of the blood of all humankind. We are fortunate and thankful it was not shed for naught. These events have influenced many world leaders including the Dalai Lama and we are thankful to have him travel to Birmingham," said Mayor William Bell.
This year's Freedom Forward: Human Rights Week will consist of events and discussions highlighting the past while encouraging attendees to look toward the future. The Dalai Lama will address the City at Regions Field on Sunday, October 26th. Following the public address, there will be a concert featuring musical artists accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Tickets go on sale on Friday, August 8th at www.birminghamhumanrights.com.
This event is produced by Executive Producers Scott Mirkin of ESM and Shawn Gee, in association with Live Nation. Mirkin and Gee were also the Co-Creators of Birmingham's very successful, first annual Schaeffer Eye Center CityFest last month.