For Immediate Release

Contact: Barbara K. Laskin or Doug Stone
February 11, 2005
(651) 696-6203

MACALESTER COLLEGE SPONSORS DISCUSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS IN HAITI FEBRUARY 28

St. Paul, Minn.- Human rights lawyer and activist Brian Concannon will discuss the current human rights situation in Haiti at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center at Macalester College on the corner of Snelling and Grand Avenues.

In conjunction with Concannon's lecture, 2002 film Potè Mak Songè will be screened at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, in the John B. Davis Auditorium in the campus center. Concannon will answer questions after the film. His visit is sponsored by the Macalester College French Department. Both events are free and open to the public. Call (651) 696-6412 for more information.

Concannon's visit coincides with the first anniversary of the coup against Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Concannon co-managed the Bureau des Avocats in Port-au-Prince. Starting in 1996, he prosecuted human rights cases primarily from the 1991-1994 coup d'état. Concannon participated in the trial of the 1994 Raboteau massacre, in which 53 defendants, including top paramilitary leaders, were convicted of victimizing pro-democratic supporters. In addition to human rights issues, Concannon will also discuss the circumstances of the 2004 coup.
Macalester is a private, national liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 1,845 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, diversity and civic engagement.

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