Hostility and hate crimes is topic of Marion program

MARION - The local group Positive Words and Actions sponsors a public event, 'Hostility and Hate Crimes, Humanity and Hope,” at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Marion Public Library, 1095 Sixth Ave.

The event aims to answer the questions: 'How common is active hostility toward racial and religious minorities and refugees and immigrants? What forms does it take, and how does it affect individuals, families, communities, and the nation? Are there resources available to those targeted and to all of us to make it right and to uphold human dignity?

A panel of speakers includes:

' Bernard Clayton, advocate for racial justice, non-violence, and public safety in Iowa.

' Kate Kedley, scholar focusing on Central America with close ties to U.S. immigrants.

' Mohamed Khalil, Kirkwood Community College adjunct faculty member and leader in the Sudanese community.

' Ibrahim Shehata, president of the Islamic Foundation of Iowa and a leader among the Bosnian and Arab communities in Waterloo.

' Dale Todd, vice president of Development for Hatch Development Group.

' Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker.

Valerie Smith, former Iowa organizer for the Arab American Institute and facilitator of Cedar Rapids Solidarity in Motion, is to serve as the moderator.

The program is free to the public.

For more information, send email to positivewordsactions@gmail.com.