PCC to Host Hate Crimes Conference

Dolores Huerta

When it comes to hate, many feel powerless to stop it. Now, however, there is a way for anybody to learn how to effectively combat hate crimes at work or in their community.

Portland Community College is hosting the 2006 Oregon Hate Crimes Conference Wednesday through Friday, June 21 through 23, at the Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St.

The three-day conference will feature roundtables, workshops and keynote speakers on a variety of topics relating to hate crimes, diversity and more. Several workshops geared toward educators and law enforcement personnel will be included. The event is open to the public.

Keynote presenters include Native American writer Sherman Alexie and community organizer Dolores Huerta. Huerta will deliver her address at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, in the PCC Cascade Gymnasium. She is president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation for Community Organizing and co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez. She is a professor of community organizing at the University of Southern California.

Alexie will talk at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22, in the PCC Cascade Gymnasium. A prolific novelist, poet and screenplay writer, Alexie has been hailed as one of the best young writers of his generation.

Sponsors of the Hate Crimes Conference include theAmericanJewish Committee, the Office of the U.S. Attorney, the Portland Gay Men's Chorus, National Council of Jewish Women (Portland Chapter), New Seasons Market, NW Natural and U.S. Bank.

Registration for the conference is $250; one-day rates are also available. Single tickets to hear Huerta and Alexie speak will be on sale at the door for $10. To register or view the complete schedule, visit http://oregonstate.edu/conferences/hatecrimes2006.