This content was published: March 11, 2002. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Colleges Host ?Hate Free' Evening at Concert Hall
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College in partnership with New Light Media, the Matthew Shepherd Foundation and other Oregon colleges will present "Journey to a Hate Free Millennium,"at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, S.W. Broadway and Main. Student leaders from PCC and community colleges from around the state organized a dynamic evening, featuring the award-winning documentary, "Journey to a Hate Free Millennium."This film seeks solutions to the crimes like the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard in Wyoming; the dragging death of African-American James Byrd, Jr. in Texas and the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado. Doors open at 6 p.m.Film producer Brent Scarpo will open the evening and explain how he used multimedia to make an impact on the world and celebrate the human spirit. Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother, will also tell her story in person and describe her mission. There will be inspirational performances by the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, and singer/songwriter Randi Driscoll. She will perform "What Matters,"her record single to benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation. In addition, Oregon State Sen. Margaret Carter and Holocaust survivor Alice Kern will provide welcoming and closing remarks.Students and interested community members will gather at 6 p.m. in Pioneer Courthouse Square for a human dignity rally. The public is welcome to join. The evening will end in the foyer where guests will have the opportunity to meet Brent Scarpo and Judy Shepard. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased through the Portland Center for the Performing Arts at 503-796-9293, or any FASTIXX outlets.Other sponsors of this event include the Oregon Community College Association, Chemeketa, Mt. Hood, Linn-Benton and Lane community colleges as well as Reed College. For more information, contact Mandy Ellertson, student leadership coordinator at the PCC Rock Creek Campus, at 503-614-7261, or call the recorded message at 503-978-5019.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »