Tennessee United for Human Rights Taking it to the Next Level in 2016

2015 saw the formation of Tennessee United for Human Rights, and in 2016 the organization is planning to take it to another level.

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) was formed as a non-profit public benefit corporation in 2015 to educate Tennesseans on the basic principles and foundations of human rights. One of the first events it participated in was a forum on human trafficking hosted by the Nashville Church of Scientology.

Next, the Executive Director of TUHR delivered a presentation on artist rights as human rights at the Artists Music Guild annual convention. This seminar provided the complete history of human rights, a breakdown of the individual points of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that protect artists, and how artists can protect themselves with this knowledge. 

To close out the year, TUHR was a co-organizer for the annual Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day, a spectacular event which showcased human rights leaders for their work and uplifted others.

TUHR is planning to begin 2016 with several events to continue promoting human rights, especially during and around the MLK celebration and during Black History Month. Following that, its director says the organization is going to spread the word even further, “We will be everywhere, at every festival, community event or gathering. This is the time to educate all people on their basic rights.” 

TUHR is the local chapter of United for Human Rights (UHR), an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind, according to humanrights.com.

United for Human Rights was founded on the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, in the face of continued worldwide abuses which violate the spirit, intent and Articles of this charter of all human rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com.

Drug-Free South Plans for Progress in 2016

Drug-Free South (DFS) has been making inroads in Tennessee since 2009. It is the local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a worldwide non-profit public benefit organization aimed at helping young people learning the truth about drugs.

The Tennessee chapter is making plans for progress across the state during 2016. “We have helped so many people, and each one marks great success, but we have to look to the future and the millions of Tennesseans who are still victims of abuse and addiction,” says Rev. Brian Fesler who coordinates the Drug-Free South.

The cornerstone of the DFS program is a series of booklets that provide the facts about the most commonly abused drugs. Next is a series of 16 award-winning “They Said, They Lied” public service announcements. They are contemporary, high-impact communications aimed directly at youth.

“Our message is aided by high-quality videos that address young adults at their level. They get the cold reality of the dangers of addiction and can then make a sane decision to be healthy,” says Fesler.

Finally, the core of the Truth About Drugs educational program is a 100-minute documentary, The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories. The film is a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred presentation told by former users who themselves survived life-shattering addiction.

Drug-Free South is dedicated to handling the drug problem in Tennessee, especially with the rise in prescription drug abuse leading to heroin addiction, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fesler is passionate about helping young people before they become a statistic. “We need to reach every kid with the truth before it is too late,” he says. “We will speak to anyone, or will give materials to any teacher wanting to help kids on this subject.” For more information on the Truth About Drugs program, or to order materials, visit drugfreesouth.org.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Urges Victims of Brain Stimulation Abuse to Report

Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville is urging friends and loved ones of those harmed by psychiatric brain treatment to report their stories.

Almost exactly two years ago on January 1, 2014, Scientific American magazine published an article on Deep Brain Stimulation, describing an experiment on a Dutch man wherein psychiatric researchers “…bored small holes in his skull and guided two long, thin probes deep into his head. The ends of the probes were lined with small electrodes… [psychiatrists] ran the connecting wires under his scalp, behind his ear and down to a battery pack sewn under the skin of his chest. Once turned on, the electrodes began delivering constant electrical pulses.”

In response to this alarming new therapy, the Citizens Commission of Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) has called for victims to report abuse suffered during this or any other psychiatric treatment.

On the website cchrnashville.org, is the question: “Do you know someone who has been damaged by experimental psychiatric treatments including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) or any other electric shock or magnetic wave to the brain?” Then follows a link to report abuse from these treatments.

CCHR has long been an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights in the field of mental health. Per the international CCHR website, cchr.org, “CCHR has long fought to restore basic inalienable human rights to the field of mental health, including, but not limited to, full informed consent regarding the medical legitimacy of psychiatric diagnosis, the risks of psychiatric treatments, the right to all available medical alternatives and the right to refuse any treatment considered harmful.”

Abuses from treatment may be reported online or by mail. The report form can be found at cchrnashville.org/report-abuse.

CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). CCHR is often able to assist with filing complaints, and can work with a person’s attorney to further investigate the case. To contact CCHR Nashville for more information, visit cchrnashville.org. 

Criminon Tennessee Creating a Safe Community

Just over a year ago, Criminon Tennessee graduated its first class from the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) Correctional Facility in the heart of downtown Nashville. The Director of Criminon Tennessee, Tracy Fesler, was extremely proud to talk about the progress her students make during their time in the program.

“Some of these guys get in trouble because of a momentary upset—one thing sets them off and they make a mistake that puts them on the course for years of self invalidation and degradation,” says Fesler.

The Criminon program is an evidence-based intervention that creates safer communities through its education curricula for offenders.  Criminon means “without crime,” and Criminon Tennessee is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. According to criminontn.org, “[Criminon International] is the management body for the network of Criminon chapters and offices in over 20 countries that services over 11,000 offenders weekly.”

Fesler says most offenders begin a life of crime after they lose their own self-respect. “I worked with an inmate who told me the exact moment in her life when she lost her self-respect. She had stolen candy from a shop at a young age, and she was met with a group of adults all coming down hard on her for this—her parents, teachers—all people she looked up to were telling her she wasn’t going to make anything of herself, so she didn’t.”

The fundamental principle that underlies the Criminon approach in methodology is the restoration of the individual’s self-respect and common sense values to avoid relapse into antisocial patterns of behavior.

Fesler says another aspect is that many offenders learn by example. “They learned this lifestyle from the culture that surrounds them. They see being a drug dealer as ‘cool,’ because their role models do that. They are missing so many good opportunities because they can’t even imagine having another lifestyle,” she says.   

The Criminon curricula utilize the principles and methods of author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard – who also had personal experience in law enforcement, walking the “beat” as a Special Officer in the Los Angeles Police Department in 1948. Hubbard wrote in detail about the rehabilitation of the criminal, once noting, “[Man] becomes a menace only when he has to compensate with dangerousness for his own loss of prestige.”

Criminon Tennessee works with inmates at every level. Fesler is excited to move the program even further in the coming year. “All that I do is help people restore their respect in themselves and others. This is incredible work, and I’m passionate about helping more and more people,” she says. For more information on Criminon Tennessee, visit criminontn.org. 

Nashville Church of Scientology Targets Tennessee Drug Crisis with Community Forum

“Fight Back: Make Drugs a Bad Deal,” was the name of the community drug prevention rally at the Church of Scientology Nashville October 28. Held in honor of Red Ribbon Week, its purpose was to align actions across Nashville for maximum impact on the drug crisis affecting the city.

The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville hosted a multi-faith, multi-cultural drug prevention forum October 28, on the theme “Fight Back: Make Drugs a Bad Deal.” The program, held in the Public Information Center of the Church, was organized in honor of Red Ribbon Week, a drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States.

The Church briefed those attending on the very effective drug education program it supports—The Truth About Drugs. Drawing on 25 years of experience in drug prevention, the program has solved the problem of effectively communicating to teens and young adults the reality of drug abuse, individually and through mass communication. It includes a series of 14 fact-filled booklets, 16 public service announcements that can effectively deter first-time drug use, and the award-winning feature-length The Truth About Drugs—Real People, Real Stories documentary. The Church has made these materials available free of charge to anyone wishing to reach youth before the dealers do.

Attendees also heard from an undercover narcotics officer who spoke about the drug trends in Middle Tennessee and gave tips on how to detect and help loved ones who may be becoming addicted to prescription painkillers, one of the current drugs of choice.

Also presenting was Michael DeCristoforo, a former drug addict who now has taken it upon himself to spread the truth about drugs with informational seminars on the topic. The reason: he never knew what he was getting into, and believes that if others knew they would never fall into the trap.

Rounding out the program was a representative from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, who spoke to what faith communities are doing across the state to handle the problem. He described churches that are being certified as “recovery congregations” and how they are reaching into the community and helping addicts.

The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville joins Scientology Churches around the U.S. in drug prevention activities each year for the Red Ribbon Campaign. Red Ribbon Week began when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. To honor his sacrifice, a tradition was born of wearing red ribbons and pledging to lead drug-free lives. According to redribbon.org, the mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America. The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville organizes programs such as this in coordination with Drug-Free South (DFS), the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. For more information on the Church’s drug prevention activities visit the website of the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

Nashville Church of Scientology Rings in the New Year

Nashville’s Church of Scientology saw a whirlwind of activity throughout 2015. Parishioners will gather on New Year’s Eve to celebrate a year of accomplishments and look forward to the coming months.

The Nashville Church of Scientology has much to celebrate as 2015 comes to a close. Scientologists will look back on the time spent on programs aimed at drug prevention and human rights education, and other activities aimed at improving their community, schools and neighborhoods during a special celebration on New Year’s Eve.

The Church began the year by teaming up with community leaders and pastors to have a joint interfaith service to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During Black History Month, the Church opened its doors to several community events. The first, a presentation for the Black Legends of Basketball where they were honored with a special display and discussion about the history and impact the Harlem Globetrotters made on the sport. Next, they hosted a presentation by dynamic teen, Lizzie Kimbrough, who performed “Ain’t I A Woman: A Tribute to African American Women.” And finally, the Church hosted a book signing for Memphis radio personality Art Gilliam who wrote “One America.”

In the spring, the church was happy to host a retirement celebration for a military chaplain, an educational seminar on the environment, with focus on tree planting and community gardens, and a community gathering for International Friendship Day which had nearly 70 guests of diverse faiths, cultures, and races all together to talk about how to overcome stereotypes.

During summer, the church held its anniversary celebration for thirty years in Music City with a large-scale event in the church where community guests, parishioners and friends were able to recognize members’ achievements and look forward to the many years ahead. In September, the church held a forum on human trafficking for International Day of Peace where local experts talked about the problem and things people can do to help victims.

Church members spent several months tutoring young children in North Nashville, distributing copies of The Way to Happiness, a booklet written by L. Ron Hubbard, and promoting human rights messages across Middle Tennessee.

In November, the Church hosted the annual Artlightenment art and film festival, which this year was themed “Music City Mystique.” In its seventh year, this was the most successful to date in terms of the attendance and number of artists participating.  The festival included a film festival, fashion show as well as having a plethora of fine art, painting and photography displays.

In December, the Church worked with local and state government agencies and non-profit organizations to plan the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day. During the December 10^th celebration, human rights advocates were awarded for their service to the community.

Church pastor Rev. Brian Fesler said, "2015 has been an exciting year, definitely our best yet. We are thankful for all our friends in the community who are working to make Nashville a better place, and we look forward to making strides in 2016." For more information about Scientology, visit www.scientology-ccnashville.org.   

2015 Year in Review – A New Era for Human Rights in Tennessee

2015 saw the formation of Tennessee United for Human Rights, to carry out the work of the international organization United for Human Rights in the Southeast United States.

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) was formed as a non-profit public benefit corporation in 2015 to educate Tennesseans on the basic principles and foundations of human rights. It started in style, spreading fliers and booklets at events for International Day of Peace, at the Peace Day concert in the Pavilion East as well as at a human trafficking forum hosted by the Nashville Church of Scientology.

Several artists performed at the Peace Day concert, including the legendary Melanie Safka, a musician with a heart for human rights since her appearance at Woodstock in 1969. Following the concert, Melanie signed on as President of Tennessee United for Human Rights and has been spreading its message at every opportunity.

Next, the Executive Director of TUHR, John Pantermuehl, delivered a presentation on artist rights as human rights at the Artists Music Guild annual convention. This seminar provided the complete history of human rights, a breakdown of the individual points of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that protect artists, and how artists can protect themselves with this knowledge. 

To close out the year, TUHR was a co-organizer for the annual Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day, a spectacular event which showcased human rights leaders for their work and uplifted others.

TUHR is planning to begin 2016 with several events to continue promoting human rights, especially during and around the MLK celebration and during Black History Month.

TUHR is the local chapter of United for Human Rights (UHR), an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind, according to humanrights.com.

United for Human Rights was founded on the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, in the face of continued worldwide abuses which violate the spirit, intent and Articles of this charter of all human rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com.

2015 Year in Review - Religion Communicators Council Promotes Good News

The Religion Communicators Council is an interfaith communications organization working to promote peace and fellowship while spreading the good news.

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote “excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups,” according to the RCC website.

In Nashville, the RCC Chapter meets every other month to promote its ideals through conversations about what is in the news and how to spread more religious messages – the good news—a tradition that began this year. “People of faith have influence,” says president of the Nashville Chapter, Rev. Brian Fesler, who pastors the Church of Scientology, “We all need to step out and speak up because the good news, of which there is an abundance, tends to be overshadowed.”

The chapter began the year hearing from Mohamed Shukri-Hassan, the Program Director for the American Muslim Advisory Council and member of the Mayor's New Americans Advisory Council, who described programs both organizations are doing to help promote understanding and tolerance, a timely message.  Next RCC members visited Ibis Communications where they met and heard from MaryAnne Howland, its president and founder. Howland described how the name Ibis comes from the bird of wisdom, as she described her commitment to serving organizations of goodwill.

The next visit for the chapter was to the American Center for Outreach where members had a chance to talk with and learn from Paul Galloway, the organizations new director. The American Center for Outreach is a non-profit organization formed to address bigoted legislation at the State Capitol, mainly against the Muslim population.

RCC members were glad to learn about ways to care for the environment on World Environment Day at the Church of Scientology, where guest speakers discussed neighborhood community gardens and best practices for planting trees.  Following this meeting, the RCC co-hosted an event for International Friendship Day, also at the Church of Scientology, where a diverse crowd discussed stereotypes and ways to overcome them. 

Following Friendship Day, the RCC executive board met and decided to change the focus of meetings to be more interactive for members. Thus the group introduced a new bi-monthly breakfast meeting where the RCC could take up hot topics in the news, fellowship, and discuss promoting tolerance and peace among all peoples. They were able to hold two such meetings this year, first at United Methodist Communications, then at the Islamic Center of Nashville.

Nashville’s RCC chapter is preparing for an even greater 2016 with its new style of meetings taking center stage to help members learn new ways to promote the good word. RCC is open to members from all denominations, and the Nashville group includes Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Hindus and more.  For further information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Tennessee Human Rights Day Celebration Uplifting Future Generations

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place in Nashville at the First Amendment Center on December 10th, 5pm – 7pm. 

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place in Nashville at the First Amendment Center on December 10th, 5pm – 7pm.  The celebration centers around the presentation of the human rights awards. Past recipients of these prestigious honors have included the Rev. Bill Barnes, Rev. James “Tex” Thomas, Rosetta Miller Perry, Father Joseph Breen, Gatluak Thach, First Baptist Capitol Hill, Stephanie Teatro, and many more.

The committee planning the event decided to incorporate something new this year and has taken up donations which will go to sponsor students to attend Model U.N., an extra-curricular activity in which students typically role-play delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. “This is a great learning experience for young people and we are excited to participate in this way,” says Rev. Brian Fesler who chairs the planning committee.

The planning committee is comprised of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology and others, who work together each year to plan the event.

At the celebration on December 10^th, awards will be given to community leaders in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement.

Rising Advocate Awards will be given to three individuals who have made great strides for human rights and show even greater promise for the future. They are Ashford Hughes, Sr., an emerging leader for the labor movement who has been a proponent of labor and worker’s rights and Aisha Lbhalla with the Muslim Women’s Council who works for religious freedom and cultural diversity.

The award winner in the category of Outstanding Service is Dr. Marisa Richmond, the first trans woman to win an election in the state of Tennessee, for her tireless work to ensure transgender equality and equality between Caucasian and African American transgender people in Tennessee.

Lifetime Achievement awards will go to Kwame Lillard, who was significantly involved in the management of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Nashville sit-ins, and the Freedom Rides and training of Freedom Riders; and Bernard Werthan, a founding member of the Family of Abraham and Faith and Culture Center, as well as member of the Community Advocates Advisory Council joint initiative of Vanderbilt Medical Center and Meharry Medical College, past board member of Goodwill Industries, Community Nashville, Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Business Minority Center, and YWCA Advisory Board, among others.

International Human Rights Day occurs every year to commemorate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on Dec 10, 1948. According to the event’s website, nashvillehumanrights.org, “In Tennessee, Human Rights Day has become a day to reflect and look at lessons learned and battles won, while various human rights groups join forces and commit to creating an even better future.” For more information, visit www.nashvillehumanrights.org.  

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Shares the Good News

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council holds bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and have deep discussions on what is happening in the world today.

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote “excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups,” according to the RCC website. 

In Nashville, the RCC Chapter meets every other month to promote its ideals through conversations about what is in the news and how to spread more religious messages – the good news.

“People of faith have influence,” says president of the Nashville Chapter, Rev. Brian Fesler, who pastors the Church of Scientology, “We all need to step out and speak up because there is more good news in the world than bad, but it tends to be overshadowed by mainstream media.”

The Religion Communicators Council in Nashville held its final of the meeting for the year in November at the Islamic Center of Nashville. Fesler says this is very appropriate given the hot discussions around what is happening in the Middle East. “We need to show that people—especially religious people—are doing good works. We need the majority of people in the world to realize they don’t need to be gripped by fear, and to do that we must spread the good news.”

During the November RCC meeting, the group discussed tolerance and diversity, especially among children in schools.

Fesler said the next RCC meeting of this kind would take place on the second Tuesday of January. “Everyone is welcome to come share in the discussion and learn how to get out the good news.”

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Tennessee United for Human Rights Starting 2016 with a Bang

Tennessee United for Human Rights is spreading its message through educational tools, hard-hitting videos and inspirational messages.

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) is participating in a series of events to honor the national holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King, a prominent figure in the history of civil and human rights, once said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” It is with this in mind that the TUHR team is preparing for a series of events to promote human rights in Dr. King’s honor.

These events will take place in January of 2016 for MLK Day and will lead into Black History Month in February.

TUHR is the local chapter of United for Human Rights (UHR), an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind, according to humanrights.com.

UHR’s purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society.

United for Human Rights was founded on the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, in the face of continued worldwide abuses which violate the spirit, intent and Articles of this charter of all human rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. Surveys have found that most people have only a limited understanding of human rights. The Declaration contains the thirty rights that together form the basis of a civilization wherein all people can enjoy the freedoms to which they are entitled, and nations can coexist in peace.

For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com.

Church of Scientology Presents New Year Seminar on Achieving Resolutions

The Nashville Church of Scientology holds seminars throughout the year to help people in various aspects of life. In January of 2016, the general public is welcome to a seminar on achieving goals.

Immediately following the New Year, the Nashville Church of Scientology will hold a special seminar to help make resolutions stick.

“Scientology is a practical religion with tools that can help people get along in life,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville church, “We can help people understand themselves and others so they can really flourish in life.”

The seminar will take place in the second week of the New Year, a time when many have set goals for 2016 but may be having trouble figuring out how to make them happen.

According to the Scientology Handbook, “L. Ron Hubbard developed an enormous body of technology to ensure the success of any group. In doing so, he also provided a solution to the most common of failings: the lack of ability to execute plans.”

It is this precise technology which will be presented at the seminar on January 16^th in the Nashville Church at 1130 8^th Avenue South. All are welcome, but reservations are required. More information can be found at scientology-ccnashville.org or by calling 615-687-4600, ask for Julie Brinker.

Tennessee United for Human Rights Educating Artists

Tennessee United for Human Rights is spreading its message to artists through educational tools, hard-hitting videos and inspirational messages.

Just a few short months ago, Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) participated in an event for Peace Day at the Pavilion East in Nashville. Several artists performed including the legendary Melanie Safka, a musician with a heart for human rights since her appearance at Woodstock in 1969. Following the concert, Melanie signed on as President of Tennessee United for Human Rights and has been spreading its message at every opportunity.

For her work, Melanie was recently presented with an award by the Artists Music Guild at its annual convention. Also during the convention, Tennessee United for Human Rights presented a seminar on artists rights as human rights. This seminar provided the complete history of human rights, a breakdown of the individual points of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that protect artists, and how artists can protect themselves with this knowledge. 

TUHR is the local chapter of United for Human Rights (UHR), an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind, according to humanrights.com.

UHR’s purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society.

United for Human Rights was founded on the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, in the face of continued worldwide abuses which violate the spirit, intent and Articles of this charter of all human rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. Surveys have found that most people have only a limited understanding of human rights. The Declaration contains the thirty rights that together form the basis of a civilization wherein all people can enjoy the freedoms to which they are entitled, and nations can coexist in peace.

For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com.

Holiday Anxiety? The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar Has the Answer

The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation offers a weekly seminar to help people resolve problems, discover the source of unreasonable fears and insecurities, and overcome barriers in life.

It has been reported that eight out of ten Americans anticipate stress during the holidays. How could this stress be relieved, or prevented all together? With Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, everyday people are finding a solution.

Since 2009, people from Nashville and Middle Tennessee have found answers about the mind and have been trained in highly effective techniques to resolve unwanted conditions in their lives. It’s all happened at the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation, a department within the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville.

Dianetics is defined as “what the soul is doing to the body through the mind,” and the subject explains how the mind contains a hidden influence that will cause individuals to perform the most insane acts. The techniques of Dianetics were developed by L. Ron Hubbard in the early part of the last century and presented to the world in the bestselling self-help book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

While Dianetics is over sixty years old, this Dianetics seminar is new. It is based on the book and a video series, How to Use Dianetics, consisting of 18 short films which illustrate specific Dianetics principles and techniques. With these films, people new to the subject can easily learn what to expect from a Dianetics session and how to help another using this technology. “The seminar not only helps people become aware of the cause of their problems, but also the ability to handle it,” says the seminar director.

Following the presentation of the first of these films, those attending the seminar immediately put the materials to use, working with other attendees to apply the techniques right there on the spot.  Supervised by trained Dianetics specialists, the seminar participants gain first-hand experience with just how easy it is to resolve the difficulties and pain that life leaves in its wake. Church pastor Rev. Brian Fesler says, “Many people have finished this seminar, and I want everyone to experience the benefits of Dianetics.  It’s not just for members of my church—anyone can have it.”

The two-day Dianetics seminar is offered every weekend at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville at 1130 8th Avenue South. For more information, visit www.dianetics.org or call the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation at 615-687-4600.

Artlightenment Dazzles Music City with 7th Annual Art Show and Film Festival

Artlightenment’s 7th consecutive year showcased celebrity photographer Raeanne Rubenstein and fashion designer Elisabeth Donaldson, both based in Nashville. The featured filmmakers were Bob Pondillo, Emeritus Professor of American Media History and Culture at Middle Tennessee State University, and Annie Kananack, an accomplished screenwriter whose work has been optioned by Happy Madison Studios and Lady in Red Production Company.

The festival was held at the Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Nashville. Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard was an accomplished artist who also wrote articles and books to help artists achieve success.

The Film Festival portion of Artlightenment spanned two evenings, Thursday and Friday, and drew full audiences. The Best Film award went to Bob Pondillo & David Lawrence for their film “My Name is Wallace,” a sweet and touching comedy of personal salvation through love starring David H. Lawrence XVII.

The overall Artlightenment Award Winner for the film about Art, Artists and the Art of Existence, was “Pray to Love”  by Anne Goetze, Nathan Collie and Mac Pirkle.

The Best of Show Award went to Samantha Ornellas, a new award for “Music City Mystique” which encompassed this year’s theme went to Barbara Hodges, and the award for Defining the Icons and Artists of our Culture went to Raeanne Rubenstein. The complete list of award winners can be seen at artlightenment.com.

Nashville Church of Scientology Opens its Doors to Members of All Faith Communities During Holiday Season

The Nashville Church of Scientology celebrates the spirit of the holiday season with traditional events and get-togethers for friends, families and neighbors.

Because the Scientology religion is practiced in 184 nations, Scientologists come from a wide variety of faiths and cultural traditions. But no matter their background, they, like most people, gather with loved ones to enjoy the warmth of friends and family and celebrate the joy of the holiday season.

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard honored the great religious leaders of the past for the wisdom they brought to the world, writing that Scientology shares “the goals set for Man by Christ, which are wisdom, good health and immortality.” It is in this spirit that Scientologists celebrate the holiday season, whether they observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Birth of Baha'u'llah, Bodhi Day, the Festival of Lights or any other religious or cultural tradition.

Pastor of the Nashville Church, Rev. Brian Fesler, says, “We love the holidays. Our church is all-denominational and multi-cultural. We enjoy bringing friends in throughout the season.”

The Church is hosting a Thanksgiving potluck dinner, there will be get-togethers throughout December, and on New Year’s Eve the church celebrates with a large-scale event to round off the year. It is at this event that the church reviews accomplishments made and sets the course for the year to come.

For more information about Scientology, visit www.scientology.org. 

Tennessee Human Rights Day Celebration to Honor Human Rights Champions

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place in Nashville at the First Amendment Center on December 10th, 5pm – 7pm.  The celebration centers around the presentation of awards to human rights champions in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement. Past recipients of these prestigious honors have included the Rev. Bill Barnes, Rev. James “Tex” Thomas, Rosetta Miller Perry, Father Joseph Breen, Gatluak Thach, First Baptist Capitol Hill, and many more.

A committee of human rights organizations and nonprofits, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology and others, work together each year to plan the event.

This year, Rising Advocate Awards will be given to three individuals who have made great strides for human rights and show even greater promise for the future. They are Alice Gatebuke, a Nashville resident who cofounded the African Great Lakes Action Network which helps to build universal access to peace, justice and prosperity in the African Great Lakes Region; Ashford Hughes, an emerging leader for the labor movement who has been a proponent of labor and worker’s rights; and Aisha Lbhalla with the Muslim Women’s Council who has been working for religious freedom and cultural diversity.

The award winner in the category of Outstanding Service is Dr. Marisa Richmond, the first trans woman to win an election in the state of Tennessee, for her tireless work to ensure transgender equality and equality between Caucasian and African American transgender people in Tennessee.

Lifetime Achievement awards will go to Kwame Lillard, who was significantly involved in the management of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Nashville sit-ins, and the Freedom Rides and training of Freedom Riders; and Bernard Werthan, a founding member of the Family of Abraham and Faith and Culture Center, as well as member of the Community Advocates Advisory Council joint initiative of Vanderbilt Medical Center and Meharry Medical College, past board member of Goodwill Industries, Community Nashville, Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Business Minority Center, and YWCA Advisory Board, among others.

International Human Rights Day occurs every year to commemorate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on Dec 10, 1948. According to the event’s website, nashvillehumanrights.org, “In Tennessee, Human Rights Day has become a day to reflect and look at lessons learned and battles won, while various human rights groups join forces and commit to creating an even better future.”

The event this year is ticketed at $10, with proceeds going to help a group of students visit Model United Nations. For more information or to reserve a seat, visit www.nashvillehumanrights.org. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Discusses Teaching Religion in Schools

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote “excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups,” according to the RCC website. 

In Nashville, the RCC Chapter recently shifted the style of meetings to maintain the organization’s historic integrity while adjusting to 21^st century ideals by holding bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and how they, as people of faith, may influence others.

In November, the group talked about the teaching of religion in public schools, citing the recent news of parents in Williamson County who were upset about the amount of attention paid to teaching about Islam during a social studies class.

During the meeting, the group reviewed the possible ways that religion could be discussed in a grade school setting to promote tolerance and diversity without enforcing any one particular belief or faith values on students. RCC members also agreed parents are the ones that need to teach their children about religion, not just their own, but open the discussion so their kids understand that there are other people in the world who believe differently than oneself.

According to the President of the Nashville Chapter, Rev. Brian Fesler who also Pastors the Nashville Church of Scientology, the chapter meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every other month during breakfast. “The concept for these meetings is to bring diverse people together to dialogue about hot topics and how we can unite to bring more inspiration and good news to the world,” he said.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Drug-Free South Treats Kids to Truth

Halloween this year was filled with candy, costumes and more. But just before the holiday, during a celebration event in the Edgehill neighborhood, kids were treated to more than just games and sweets. Drug-Free South came out to bring truth to young people and help prevent the worst kind of addiction.

Halloween falls on the last day of Red Ribbon Week, the last week of October each year which is also the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. This is the best time to educate young people and help prevent drug abuse.

The Red Ribbon Campaign commemorates DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who died in the line of duty in 1985. Since that time, people display red ribbons as a sign of solidarity and intolerance toward the use of drugs.

Drug-Free South organizers participated in the Edgehill event on October 30^th, distributing materials to youth and encouraging health and safety during the holiday.

Drug-Free South began honoring Red Ribbon Week in Tennessee in 2009 by distributing copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets, which help young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user, visiting school classrooms to deliver a seminar to students utilizing the documentary The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories, and getting the Drug-Free World public service announcements played on television. Drug-Free South has provided seminars to students in over thirty counties in Tennessee.

Drug-Free South is the Tennessee chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.  For more information, visit drugfreesouth.org. 

Artlightenment Releases 2015 Schedule for Art Show and Film Festival

The Artlightenment festival, now an annual tradition in Music City, combines several art forms into one breathtaking event in November. This is the seventh year of the festival which continues to grow and change while inviting even greater participation from the community. The 2015 theme is Music City Mystique: Behind the Art.

Saturday, November 7^th at 5:30pm is the opening reception. Guests will be able to view the art on display and meet the artists.

Robyn Morshead who founded the Artlightenment festival says, “Each year local artists submit their art for the show and each year I am absolutely blown away by the artistic skill and expression we have in our community.” 

The art show is hosting 47 local artists this year including the three featured artists: celebrity photographer Raeanne Rubenstein, whose photographs have recently been added to the catalogue of the prestigious Gagosian Gallery in New York City; Anne Goetze, a prolific artist whose Annecey, France Nun Series is scheduled to tour the United States; and Roy Laws, whose bold and expressive art hangs in private collections in the United States and Internationally.

Additionally, Laws will deliver a Live Painting Event of Rubenstein’s celebrated photograph of Martina McBride during the Artlightenment festival. Also during the festival, comedian and artist Bob Hutcheson will be creating a Community Coloring Experience, followed by his hilarious comedy show.

Artlightenment this year will be chock-full of inspirational talks, workshops, film screenings, a fashion show and much, much more.

Morshead said: “I am thrilled to give our local artists and filmmakers an opportunity to share their art with the community.  I invite everyone to come out and enjoy the experience.”

The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville is the festival host each year, in accordance with Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision to help all artists. More information and the complete schedule can be found online at artlightenment.com. 

International Association of Scientologists Marks Year of Incomparable Global Impact

The International Association of Scientologists’ 31st Anniversary Celebration showcased historic expansion and unprecedented reach, rounding out 12 months of extraordinary worldwide achievement.

More than 7,500 Scientologists converged on Saint Hill in the United Kingdom to celebrate 31 years of sweeping accomplishment and spectacular triumph of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) on Friday, October 23, simultaneously honoring the Scientology religion’s continued growth and impact as a planetary force for humanitarian uplift and social betterment.

The event is being re-broadcast in churches around the globe one week later to unite all Scientologists and share the good news.

Indeed, the past year has proven to be perhaps the most expansive and successful in Scientology history—a period marked by monumental victories in terms of both Church growth and its dynamic, tireless work in battling drug abuse and human rights offenses including in the field of mental health, as well as instilling morality and delivering freedom from travail for those suffering in the aftermath of disaster.

When the IAS was founded in 1984, Scientology could be found in 39 nations worldwide. Today, the association’s members hail from more than 130 countries across six continents—securing the Church’s eminence as the only world religion to emerge in the 20th century that continues to expand, evolve and thrive 15 years into the 21st.

Indeed, the vast roster of Scientology achievements in 2015 filled the nearly three-hour event, beginning with the peerless efforts of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) to eradicate psychiatric human rights abuses around the world—at once bringing its perpetrators to justice and empowering its victims. CCHR’s trailblazing crusade to bring psychiatry under the law continued to ramp up dramatically over the past year.

It was also during 2015 that permanent facilities for the Scientology-supported humanitarian and social betterment initiatives were established along with a Scientology Information Center in Clearwater, Florida—spiritual headquarters of the Scientology religion. These serve as a model for raising entire communities with these enormously effective campaigns.

The programs represented are: The Truth About Drugs, an anti-drug education program designed to erase pandemic substance abuse worldwide; United for Human Rights, enlightening populations on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; The Way to Happiness, whose 21 universal moral precepts help to restore the bonds of humanity and basic decency of mankind; and Scientology Volunteer Ministers, providing urgent assistance to the devastated and traumatized and bringing succor in times of disaster, both acute and everyday.

Examples of the sheer impact of the initiatives during the presentation included:

The Truth About Drugs campaign reaches a potential user every five seconds along high-trafficking zones in 58 nations.

More than 70,000 children in 40 schools across the nation of Togo alone were educated on their human rights.

The Way to Happiness is now permanently woven into West Bank society in the Middle East to help bring calm to a volatile region, with full recognition as a charitable organization by the Palestinian National Authority.

Volunteer Ministers logged more than 300,000 miles to train in excess of 50,000 people worldwide in how to use the VM tools.

Volunteer Ministers persevered through one of their greatest challenges this year following the devastating 7.8 earthquake in Nepal in April. The temblor resulted in more than 9,000 deaths and 23,000 injuries and left some 2 million homeless. However, within 24 hours, the Volunteer Ministers International headquarters had dispatched and mobilized Mexico’s famed Los Topos and CINAT (National Circle of Aid Technicians) out of Colombia. VMs from Pakistan, India and Thailand joined in the search-and-rescue effort along with power teams from Colombia, Australia, Europe and the United States.

________________

The International Association of Scientologists, a membership organization open to all Scientologists from all nations, was formed in 1984. The purpose of the IAS is to unite, advance, support, and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world so as to achieve the Aims of Scientology as originated by L. Ron Hubbard: “A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights.”

Nashville Church of Scientology Hosts Community Discussion on Drug Prevention

The Nashville Church of Scientology hosted a multi-faith, multi-cultural forum on drug prevention and education in honor of Red Ribbon Week, which occurs the last week of October each year and is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country, according to imdrugfree.com. The forum was titled “Fight Back: Make Drugs a Bad Deal.”

The Church showcased the Truth About Drugs program and the educational materials which are provided to community groups and schools free of charge.

Attendees heard from a narcotics officer who spoke about the drug trends in Middle Tennessee and gave tips on how to help loved ones who may be becoming addicts to prescription painkillers, one of the current drugs of choice. Also presenting was a former drug addict who now has taken it upon himself to spread the truth about drugs with informational seminars on the topic. The reason: he never knew what he was getting into, and believes that if others knew they would never fall into the trap.

Rounding out the program was a representative of the Office of Faith-Based and Special Initiatives from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services who spoke to what faith communities are doing across the state to handle the problem. He described congregations that are being certified as “recovery congregations” and how they are reaching into the community and helping addicts.

The Church of Scientology participates in drug prevention activities each year for the Red Ribbon Campaign, which was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America, according to redribbon.org.

The Church works with Drug-Free South (DFS), the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. DFS has participated in the Red Ribbon campaign since 2009 by distributing copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets, which help young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user. For more information on DFS, visit drugfreesouth.org. For more on the Church of Scientology’s drug prevention efforts, visit scientology-ccnashville.org/antidrug. 

Spreading Happiness Among Tennessee Native American Tribes

The Way to Happiness participated in this year’s annual Intertribal Powwow in Clarksville, Tennessee.

The Native Cultural Circle (NCC) of Clarksville held its eighteenth annual Intertribal Powwow earlier this month with festivities all weekend long. Attendees came from all walks of life and enjoyed learning about and exploring Native American culture and traditions.

The Powwow is held each year in a location with special significance to Native peoples. According to the website, “during the Indian Removal of 1838, the Cherokee nation was taken from their traditional homes in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama, and forcefully relocated to the Indian Territories in what later became Oklahoma. The Powwow grounds lay along the northern land route. Diary records of the removal identify Port Royal, as ‘the last stop before leaving Tennessee, and as an encampment site where the Cherokee stayed overnight or longer to re-supply, grind corn and rest.’”

During the removal, an estimated 4,000 - 6,000 Cherokee died. The journey became known as “The Trail of Tears” or, as a direct translation from the Cherokee Nunna daul Tsuny, “The Trail Where They Cried.”

The powwow is a time to commemorate the Trail of Tears and special ceremonies are held in remembrance of it.

This year, a volunteer from the Way to Happiness Foundation was welcomed to the powwow to distribute booklets written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s. The Way to Happiness booklet contains a common sense moral code that is interreligious and can be used by anyone.

Rebecca Carter, the volunteer for The Way to Happiness said, “This booklet, when distributed to people in need, has such a great effect. You see whole communities uplifted once they learn the values contained within.”

More than two-hundred booklets were distributed to those attending the Intertribal Powwow. For more information, visit thewaytohappiness.org. For more information on the next Intertribal Powwow, visit discoverclarksville.com. 

Drug-Free South Scaring Away Abuse and Addiction

The week leading up to Halloween is often filled with children frantically deciding what costume to wear or ensuring they have enough bags to fill with candy, but many don’t know that this week is also a time to fight drug abuse and come together with solutions to end addiction. The week is known across the country as Red Ribbon Week, commemorating DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who died in the line of duty in 1985.

“Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country,” according to imdrugfree.com, and it occurs during the last week of October each year. This is the best time to educate young people and help prevent drug abuse.

As it comes right before Halloween, Drug-Free South organizers are set to participate in an event on October 30th, distributing materials to youth and encouraging health and safety during the holiday.

Drug-Free South began observing Red Ribbon Week in Tennessee in 2009 by distributing copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets, which help young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user, visiting school classrooms to deliver a seminar to students utilizing the documentary The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories, and getting the Drug-Free World public service announcements played on television. Drug-Free South has provided seminars to students in over thirty counties in Tennessee.

Drug-Free South is the Tennessee chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.  For more information, visit drugfreesouth.org.

Artlightenment Festival Announces Several Seminars to Help Artists this Year

Artlightenment takes place in November at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville and organizers have just announced a seminar line-up to help artists.

The Artlightenment festival is an annual tradition in Music City which combines modern forms of many arts into one explosive event in November. This year will be the seventh year of the festival which continues to grow and change while inviting even greater participation from the area. The 2015 theme is Music City Mystique: Behind the Art.

The festival begins November 7th and ends with an awards ceremony and fashion show on November 14th.  The film festival will be Nov 12-14th, and the complete schedule can be seen at artlightenment.com.

Prior to the festival, organizers have announced a special seminar by successful artist Owen York on “How to Sell Your Art.” York has said, “My dream is to bring art back from the dead, by bringing the artist back to life.” York’s originals, commissions and portraitures have sold nationwide and internationally. He specializes in acrylics & watercolors and his influences include Impressionism, Rock & Roll and commercial Illustration.

The next talk will be on “Music City Mystique” and will be delivered by celebrity photographer Raeanne Rubenstein.

The Artlightenment festival is all about uplifting artists, and according to the Artlightenment website, the festival was created from one artist’s dream to help artists by giving them a festival dedicated to no other cause than the art itself. “This is a festival about them, the artists, and what they have to say,” says Robyn Morshead who founded Artlightenment and continues to organize the show each year.

The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville is the festival host each year, in accordance with Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision to help all artists. More information and the complete schedule can be found online at artlightenment.com. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Announces Upcoming Breakfast Meeting

The longest running interfaith communications organization in the United States, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the country that meet regularly and promote “excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups,” according to the RCC website. 

In Nashville, the RCC Chapter has shifted the style of meetings to maintain the organization’s historic integrity while adjusting to 21^st century ideals.

In September, the chapter met with open dialogue and communication among members about hot topics and current events. The group discussed exactly how clergy should and should not be involved in political processes, citing the recent editorial in the Tennessean by Rev. John Faison of Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he spoke to how his church is not for sale and how his support for a mayoral candidate is also not for sale.

The next meeting will be on November 10^th at the Islamic Center of Nashville.

According to the President of the Nashville Chapter, Rev. Brian Fesler who also Pastors the Nashville Church of Scientology, the chapter meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every other month during breakfast. “The concept for these meetings is to bring diverse people together to dialogue about hot topics and how we can unite to bring more inspiration and good news to the world,” he said.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, and more. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Singer Melanie Signs on as President of Tennessee United for Human Rights

Melanie Safka, best known for her musical hits “Brand New Key,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “What Have They Done to My Song Ma,” and her song about performing at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” has just signed on as President of Tennessee United for Human Rights, the local chapter of the worldwide United for Human Rights initiative.

Melanie has long been an advocate for peace, and recently headlined the Peace Day concert in Nashville, sponsored by Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR). Just before the concert, she accepted the position as president of TNUHR. In her role, she will be an ambassador and spokesperson.

“When I first learned about the Declaration of Human Rights, I thought – ‘well of course!’ the rights all make sense and everyone should be aware of what they are,” she said. “When people realize they can influence government, that’s when by their actions, they can make things happen.”

Melanie became famous during one unforgettable night on stage at Woodstock in 1969. According to her website, during that night at Woodstock, Melanie was a New York kid barely known outside of the coffeehouse circuit in Greenwich Village. Long before it was a trend, while she sang her song "Beautiful People," the audience was inspired to light their candles and raise their lighters. That, in turn, moved the young singer to write ‘Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),’ which sold more than one million copies in 1970 and prompted Billboard, Cashbox, Melody Maker, Record World, and Bravo to anoint her female vocalist of the year.

Melanie appeared before the General Assembly of the United Nations, where she was invited back on many occasions. When she became an official UNICEF ambassador in 1972, she agreed to forego a world tour in favor of raising money for the organization. It was her work for the UN that sparked her unrelenting drive to speak out for peace.

For more information about Melanie, visit her website melaniesafka.com. For more information about United for Human Rights, visit humanrights.com.