Chicago Seven defendant Tom Hayden to deliver free lecture at Fairfield University | Press Releases

Tom Hayden, the 1960s anti-war demonstrator and a founder of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the New Left, will offer his thoughts on "America in Iraq: Democracy or Empire?" on Tuesday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the dining room of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

A founding member of the radical student organization SDS, Tom Hayden was also an author of its famed Port Huron Statement call for "participatory democracy." Hayden became well-known as a member of the Chicago Seven protesters who were indicted on conspiracy and incitement charges following their participation in an anti-Vietnam War rally at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Hayden was eventually acquitted of all charges. A former husband of Jane Fonda, he served as a member of the California State Legislature for 18 years during the 1980s and 1990s.

"His whole adult life has been really a commitment to social justice here at home and in the world at large," said Kevin Cassidy, Ph.D., professor of politics and director of Peace and Justice Studies at Fairfield University. "He brings that whole perspective to the Iraq war question."

Hayden has called for U.S. Congressional hearings on ending the war in Iraq. His discussion at Fairfield University will relate his questioning of the war in Iraq to his own exploration of the Irish archetype, which he defines as embracing a concern for social justice and a willingness to actively be involved in issues that affect human rights and democracy, Dr. Cassidy said. In his capacity as a California legislator, Hayden made several trips to Northern Ireland to work toward ending the conflict there.

Hayden is the author of 13 books, including "Irish on the Inside," (Verso, 2001),

"Street Wars," (New Press, 2004) and "The Port Huron Statement," (Thunders Mouth, 2005).

Sponsored by the Politics Department, Irish Studies, Peace and Justice Studies and the Honors Program at Fairfield University, the lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Cassidy at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2862.