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Rev. Liz Theoharis to Present Keynote Address at Michigan Coalition for Human Rights 40th Annual Dinner on October 4, 2020

Rev. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, will present the keynote address at the 40th annual meeting of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights (MCHR) which will be conducted virtually at 5 p.m. on October 4, 2020. MCHR will also recognize area human rights leaders for their works towards a peaceful world without poverty, prejudice, hate and commitment to environmental stewardship during the event.

Theoharis, an ordained Presbyterian minister, is also the director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminar in New York City. She has been an activist and advocate for poor and homeless people for more than 20 years. In addition, Theoharis is the author of two books, “Always With Us? What Jesus Really Said About the Poor” and “Revive Us Again: Vision and Action in Moral Organizing.”

As part of the event, MCHR will also honor these local human rights leaders and activists with awards for their strong commitment and outstanding service to the community:

• Lifetime Activist Award – To Gloria Rivera, who previously served as MCHR executive director, for her long history of commitment to social justice. Rivera has been involved with Groundwork for a Just World (which provides education on peace, environment, women’s issues and education) and Project Help (which provided older adults with minimum wage jobs). She was also executive director of Freedom House, providing comprehensive services for asylum-seekers.
• Labor/Organization Activist Award – To United Auto Workers-General Motors and United Auto Workers-Aramark for their courageous 40-day strike during Fall 2019, the longest auto industry strike in four decades. The steadfastness of the of the strikers inspired support from Ford and Chrysler workers and sparked a reform movement within the UAW ranks committed to building a stronger grassroots labor movement.
• Youth Activist Awards – To Shimekia Nichols and Michelle Martinez for their outstanding leadership and efforts in environmental justice, energy democracy and community activism. Nichols is currently communications coordinator at Soulardarity and Martinez is statewide coordinator for Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.

Tickets are $25 and available here. For additional information on tickets and the MCHR 40th annual dinner, please contact Chantelle Yancy at 313-579-9071 or mchrannualdinner@gmail.com.

About Michigan Coalition for Human Rights
The Michigan Coalition for Human Rights promotes awareness of, commitment to and advocacy for human rights and the environmental rights of planet Earth through education, community organization and action. MCHR opposes forces that suppress human dignity, freedom and justice – locally and around the world.