First things first: I got to bid AND win a first edition autographed book by the incredible journalist Seymour M. Hersh. Not only did I get to see him (speak briefly) and Harry Belafonte (!) among others, but I won his book My Lai 4 A Report on the Massacre and its Aftermath in a silent auction afterwards (an architect outbidding lawers? Who knew…).
Another image and the clips of Mr. Belafonte’s and Mr. Hersh’s speeches after the jump.
Now onto the explanation: I was invited by Mara to a gala night by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Chelsea Piers. The event, which was the organization’s benefit gala, had a fantastic dinner followed by the 2008 In Justice Awards Presentation in which Art Chong, Harry Belafonte and Seymour Hersh were given awards for their work related to activism and justice.
[flv:http://www.erratica.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/hersh.flv hersh.jpg 500 400]
[flv:http://www.erratica.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/belafonte.flv belafonte.jpg 640 480]
Tags: activism