Press Releases
November 5, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Alka Joshi
Evergreen Valley College Marketing and Community Relations
650-224-7580 cell
408-270-6413 direct
408-238-3179 fax
Expert Panel Discusses Aftermath of Jena 6 at Evergreen Valley College
How are angry teenagers responding to Jena 6, and what should we do about it? Were there constitutional infractions in the handling of the case, and if so, what were they? What is the most effective response to injustice or unethical behavior? These and other topics, not currently being addressed by the media, will be discussed by a panel of lawyers, human relations experts, ministers and social science experts at Evergreen Valley College this coming Saturday, November 10, from 11am to 3pm.
The event is called a “Teach-In,” similar to the “sit-ins” from the era of civil rights. Featured speakers are:
- Gerald Uelmen, Professor of Law, Santa Clara University
- Richard Hobbs, Director of the Office of Human Relations, Santa Clara County
- Dr. Benjamin Browser, Chair, Department of Sociology, Cal State East Bay
- Margaret Russell, Constitutional expert and Professor of Law, Santa Clara University
- Dr. Edward Hyman, Forensic and Clinical Psychologist
David Wain Coon, President of Evergreen Valley College, explained why he welcomed the opportunity to host the event, “When something like this happens, we need to consider the total picture—the impact it’s having on our society, our communities, our schools and our people—and we need to find humane, ethical ways to respond.”
San Jose Evergreen Community College Trustee Richard Hobbs, an immigration attorney who will participate in the panel discussion said, “The time to deal with these issues is now, not later. As a long-time advocate of the underserved and underrepresented, I feel that the Jena 6 episode is asking for our highest and best response.”
Sponsors of the event include De Anza Community College and the Santa Clara County Office of Human Relations. The event was coordinated by a multi-ethnic “Coalition of Concerned Citizens” and organizations led by Lessie James.
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ABOUT Evergreen Valley College
With student learning as its primary focus, Evergreen Valley College’s mission is to embrace its students, to validate, nurture and celebrate them so that they may succeed in a global, multicultural society. The College, which sits on a picturesque 175-acre site in the eastern foothills of San Jose, provides access to comprehensive and flexible post-secondary education to prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for balanced and productive lives and to improve the workforce and quality of life in our community.