VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Rothko Chapel is delighted to bring a distinguished roster of outstanding intellectuals, poets, musicians, and journalists to speak and perform during its 2009-2010 season of public programs. All programs are free and open to the public.

The Rothko Chapel presents Human Rights Day Illuminated: Vincent Warren. Thursday, December 10, at 7:00pm.

Vincent Warren is the Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a national legal and educational organization dedicated to advancing and defending the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Vince oversees CCR’s groundbreaking litigation and advocacy work which includes combating the illegal expansion of presidential power and policies such as illegal detention at Guantanamo, rendition, torture and warrantless wiretapping; holding corporations and government officials accountable for human rights abuses; and, challenging racial injustice and mass incarceration.

Vince has spearheaded a public campaign, “Beyond Guantanamo: Rescue the Constitution” coinciding with CCR’s landmark Supreme Court victory in Al Odah v. U.S. and Boumediene v. Bush, which held that the detainees at Guantánamo Bay have a constitutional right to the writ of habeas corpus.

Prior to his tenure at CCR, Vince held the position of national senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), where he led constitutional and impact litigation to advance civil rights and liberties.

Among the cases he has litigated are:

• Gratz v. Bollinger, companion case to the landmark Supreme Court decision to uphold affirmative action in college admissions.

• Dasrath v. Continental Airlines on behalf of plaintiffs removed from an airplane shortly after 9/11 because they were perceived to be Arab or Muslim, and

• White v. Martz, a class action lawsuit which helped create Montana’s first statewide public defender system.

He also monitored South Africa’s historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings and worked as a criminal defense attorney for the Brooklyn Legal Aid Society. Vince holds a law degree from Rutgers School of Law and a B.A. from Haverford College.

Vince is a frequent national cable, network and independent media commentator, having appeared on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, CNN’s The Situation Room and Paula Zahn Now, Democracy Now! and numerous National Public Radio programs.