MEDIA ADVISORY: MU School of Journalism to Host Lecture by Anti-apartheid Activist Albie Sachs

October 13th, 2014

By Sarah Clinton

WHAT: Human rights activist Albie Sachs, former judge on the Constitutional Court of South Africa, will visit MU to give his lecture entitled “Confessions of an Activist Judge.” Sachs, a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement, survived an assassination attempt in 1988 that resulted in the loss of his right arm. In 1995, following the downfall of apartheid, Sachs was appointed to South Africa’s highest court by the late Nelson Mandela. Sachs gained international recognition through his landmark rulings, perhaps most notably his 2005 writing of the court opinion that legalized same-sex marriage in South Africa and because of the key role he played in the drafting of South Africa’s constitution.

The MU School of Law also will host the screening of the documentary film “Soft Vengeance,” the award-winning story of Sachs’ fight against apartheid in South Africa. Sachs and director Abby Ginzberg will answer audience questions after the film.

The lecture is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Distinguished Visitor Program and the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism at the MU School of Journalism.

WHO: Anti-apartheid activist Albie Sachs

WHEN: Film Screening at 3 p.m., Monday Oct. 13
Lecture at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 13

WHERE: Film screening in Room 7, Hulston Hall, MU campus
Lecture in Bush Auditorium, Cornell Hall, MU campus

NOTE: The events are free and open to the public.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Visitors Program brings prominent scholars to the University of Missouri campus to participate in academic programs and research and spend time engaging the campus community. For more information on this and other programs, please visit: http://distinguishedvisitors.missouri.edu/.