Innocents Lost: A Reading by Jimmie Briggs (Human Rights Watch, 8-9-2005)

Jimmie Briggs will read and sign copies of his newly released book “Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War.” INNOCENTS LOST is a first-person narrative exploring the lives of child soldiers and war-affected children. It focuses on young people and their families in five countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Afghanistan.

Briggs, a free lance journalist and graduate of Morehouse College, is the first African American to be appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy for Children and Armed Conflict by WAFUNIF at the United Nations. In addition, Jimmie was accorded the honor of serving as a Special Consultant for the United Nations Special Session on Children. His articles have appeared in a broad spectrum of publications (e.g., The New York Times Magazine, Vibe, Bust, and Fortune). To find out more about Jimmie and read an excerpt from the book, please visit http://www.jimmiebriggs.com

Jo Becker, Advocacy Director of the Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch will serve as moderator. Ms. Becker was the founding chairperson of the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, which campaigned successfully for an international treaty banning the forced recruitment of children under age eighteen or their use in armed conflict.

To view a Human Rights Watch video and photo essay on some of northern Uganda’s “night commuters” go to http://hrw.org/video/2005/uganda/qt.htm These images document some of the thousands of children who walk miles every night to try to find a safe place so they will not be abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army.

When: Thursday, September 8, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Where: The Telephone Bar (149 2nd Ave between 9th and 10th) F or V to 2nd Avenue

Please note there will be a $3 suggested donation to help offset the cost of the renting the room.