BOSTON - July 20 - Over three thousand people are expected to take part in three days of workshops, meetings, and cultural events about building a better future for Boston, New England, the United States, and the world at the Boston Social Forum at the University of Massachusetts in Boston from July 23-25. The gathering is the culmination of a year long organizing effort by some sixty peace, human rights, civil liberties, environmental, labor, economic justice, and women's organizations designed to help progressive social movements develop new ideas, strategies, and networks. Highlights of the Boston Social Forum will include:

-- Presentations by Angela Davis, Manning Marable, Dolores Huerta,Tom Hayden, Zia Mian, Rep.Dennis Kucinich, Walden Bello, Dennis Brutus, Phyllis Bennis, Danny Glover, Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Paul Farmer, Diane Dujon, Felix Arroyo, Eric Mann, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Chuck Turner, Dorris "Granny D" Haddock, Robert Reich, Jim Hightower, Grace Paley and many other prominent activists, artists, and scholars.

-- Over 500 workshops and discussions on a broad range of issues including but not limited to climate change, corporate accountability, health care, education, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered liberation, criminal justice, immigration, labor, environmental justice, nonviolence, peace, labor, global justice, water privatization, and women's liberation.

-- An International Peace and Human Rights conference with delegations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America

-- A dramatic recreation of Fannie Lou Hamer's speech to the 1964 Democratic Convention by activists connected with the Mississippi Freedom DemocraticParty

-- A summit of progressive journalists working to create a new national media network

-- A benefit concert featuring Billy Bragg, Barry Crimmins, Nora York, the Foundation, the Reagan Babies, and others . .

.-- The Active Arts Conference helping young people explore hip-hop music, art, and culture as a positive force for social change. The conference will include a Poverty Agenda Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the Institute for Policy Studies and hosted by Danny Glover.

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