Coastal Carolina University's Social Justice Research Initiative (SJRI) is hosting "Celebrate Justice," a two-week series of public events from Monday, April 10, to Thursday, April 20. All events are free and open to the public.

* "Unveiling Prejudice," Monday, April 10, 1 p.m., Lib Jackson Student Union Rotunda. Students from a social justice class present an interactive exercise about hidden biases. The Lib Jackson Student Union is located at 106 Spadoni Park Circle on the main Conway campus.

* "Reclaiming Democracy: How Has South Carolina Failed?" Monday, April 10, 6 p.m., Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts, Room 137. Activist Brett Bursey from the South Carolina Progressive Network will discuss the history and current state of South Carolina regarding political democracy and economic justice. Organizing strategies for political, economic and social justice will also be discussed. The Edwards College is located at 133 Chanticleer Drive W. on the main Conway campus.

* "Community Organizing for Social Justice," Tuesday, April 11, 1:40 p.m., Clay D. Brittain Jr. Hall, Room 101. Nancy Cave, director of the north office of the Coastal Conservation League, will discuss her organization's work and how citizens can become involved in the fight for environmental justice and social change. Brittain Hall is located at 125 Chanticleer Drive W. on the main Conway campus.

* "The ACLU: Working for Social Justice in South Carolina and the Nation," Monday, April 17, 6:30 p.m., Brittain Hall, Room 101. Shaundra Scott, director of the South Carolina American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), will discuss her organization's work to defend our rights to equality, liberty and justice. * "Student Poster Presentations," Tuesday, April 18, 11 a.m., Lib Jackson Student Union Rotunda. Students from social justice and women's and gender studies classes will present poster presentations entitled "Making a Difference: Organizations and Individuals on the Front Lines of Social Justice."

* "Ella Baker Day - Keynote Address," Tuesday, April 18, 7 p.m., James J. Johnson Auditorium. Rosa Clemente, an Afro-Latina political commentator, community organizer, independent journalist and 2008 Green Party vice presidential candidate, will speak in celebration of civil rights activist Ella Baker at the fourth annual Ella Baker Day celebration. The Johnson Auditorium is Room 116 of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, located at 119 Chanticleer Drive E. on the main Conway campus.

* "Say Their Name," Thursday, April 20, 11 a.m., CINO Plaza. Various student organizations will band together to form a line to recognize those who have been victimized or killed as a result of social, economic and political oppression. Students will display posters with the victim's names, biographies, photos and circumstances surrounding their death as a display of solidarity and justice. CINO Plaza is located in the back of the Lib Jackson Student Union.

SJRI is an on-campus organization dedicated to promoting and integrating community-based research, experiential learning, and project-based community service by collaborating with community partners to promote social justice and change. The three core beliefs of SJRI are education, research and action. Debbie Perkins, associate professor of sociology, is the director of the organization.

For more information on these events, contact Perkins at dperkins@coastal.edu or 843-349-2693.