Iran Forum w/ Reese Erlich and Ali Shakeri November 30, 2007

Iran Forum: “The Real Story behind US Policy towards Iran"

Author and investigative Journalist Reese Erlich and the recent political prisoner of the Islamic Republic of Iran and peace building advocate Ali Shakeri Friday, Nov. 30th 2007, 7:00 PM First Unitarian Church, Salmon Street Sanctuary SW 12th and Salmon Street in downtown Portland.

To cover the travel costs of speakers, donations are encouraged
but no one will be turned away for lack of funding.

Reese Erlich is the co-author (with Norman Solomon), of the national bestseller “Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn’t Tell you” (2003). His latest book “The Iran Agenda: the Real Story of the US Policy and the Middle East Crisis” is a result of his trips to Iran, including one with actor Sean Penn and journalist Norman Solomon. Erlich was Professor of Journalism at San Francisco State University and California State University for ten years. As an investigative reporter, Erlich has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Project Censored, and shared a prestigious Peabody Award. He writes regularly for National Public Radio, Dallas Morning News, CBC Radio (Canada) and Mother Jones magazine.
Ali Shakeri was born in Iran and completed High School there and then a BA in Business Administration from the University of Texas. Mr. Shakeri’s passion lies with the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding at the University of California Irvine, of which he is a founding board member. He has more valid reasons than many to fear the Islamic Republic of Iran: when he attempted to return to the United States from Iran in May 07 after being at his mother’s side when she died, he was detained by Iranian authorities. He was taken to the infamous Evin Prison in Tehran and held until September. His case took place parallel with that of two other Iranian American Scholars detained in Iran on suspicion of acting on behalf of the 75 million dollar US State Department’s democracy project. The prisoners became top story of the media until October when they were finally released and Shakeri was allowed to leave. This experience, however, has not altered his commitment for working towards democracy and peace through non-violent means such as dialogue, reconciliation, collaboration and cooperation. More information is available at www.freealishakeri.org
Co-sponsored by American Iranian Friendship Council, Portland Alliance,
First Unitarian Church's Peace and Justice Ministry, KBOO Community Radio, American Friends Service Committee, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition and others.