October 26, 2004 :: No. 69

Modern-Day Slavery Symposium Is Focus of Sociology Week

Francis Bok, an escaped Sudanese slave, and Tommy Calvert of the Boston-based American Anti-Slavery Group are featured speakers Tuesday, Nov. 9, during Cal State Fullerton’s annual Sociology Week activities.

As part of a Modern-Day Slavery Symposium, both are slated for daytime and evening presentations in the Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion. All talks are open to the public.

Calvert speaks from 10-11:30 a.m. and Bok from 1-2:30 p.m., followed by a book signing. That evening, both men will return to the podium for speeches, a question-and-answer session and book signing. The daytime talks are fee of charge; admission to the 6:30-9:30 p.m. program is $16 per person and includes dinner.

Bok, author of “Escape from Slavery, Autobiography of a Child Slave,” will be signing his book at the events. Abducted from his village at age 7, Bok slept with cattle, endured daily beatings and worked as a slave until he escaped 10 years later.

As chief of external operations for the American Anti-Slavery Group, Calvert is responsible for raising awareness, leading advocacy campaigns, and working closely with human rights rescue and humanitarian missions, such as an April 2002 mission to the Sudan that helped liberate 6,000 people from bondage.

Bok and Calvert’s appearances on campus are sponsored by the Sociology Association for Graduate Advancement (SAGA), Alpha Kappa Delta and the Sociology Student Association.

Additional information is available on the SAGA website at www.saga-csuf.org or by calling (562) 695-9974.