The leader of the student uprising of 1968 and founding member of the notorious Weather Underground, Mark Rudd revisits his radical past in his new memoir, Underground: My Life With SDS and the Weathermen.  In 1968, Rudd led the occupation of five buildings at Columbia University, a dramatic act of protest against the university’s support for the Vietnam War and accusations of institutional racism. Rudd, the charismatic chairman of the Columbia chapter of Students for a Democratic Society(SDS) became a national symbol of student revolt when, after a violent police bust, the Columbia occupation escalated into a student strike that closed down the entire campus. Rudd went on to become the cofounder of the Weatherman faction of SDS, which took control of the student organization and helped spur the notorious Days of Rage in Chicago in 1969.

Rudd will read from his memoir and discuss his involvement with the controversial organization.

The salon will also feature filmmakers Barbara Attie, Janet Goldwater, and Shannon Kane-Meddock who will show scenes from a new documentary in progress.

And dancer/choreographer Gabrielle Revlock will preview a new collaborative dance piece called SHARE! that will debut at the New Festival in June.

EVENT DETAILS
First Person Salon
May 13th, 2009 7:30-9:30 (Doors at 7pm)
Location: Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
Admission: $8 Buy your tickets in advance (The fees are on us!)