Art, activism featured in 23rd annual Local to Global Justice event


Graphic illustration of two human face profiles facing each other with a globe in between them.

This year’s Local to Global Justice forum and festival includes a film screening, poetry and workshops. Photo courtesy iStock/Getty Images

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Activists from around Arizona State University and the community will gather for the 23rd annual Local to Global Justice forum and festival, held Feb. 16–17 on the ASU Tempe campus.

The annual event brings together community grassroots organizations alongside activists and students from all over the world, and includes arts activities for all ages.

This year’s festival will kick off on Friday, Feb. 16, with a vegan dinner, a feature-length film screening and poetry centered on using art to create positive change in the local and global community.

Saturday morning workshops will include such topics as incorporating art in social change, activism in higher education, healing through connections and justice in Palestine.

Event details

Local to Global Justice forum and festival
Feb. 16–17
ASU Tempe campus

Donations are welcome.

“This is a special event to us, and we are always delighted to share films and have discussions with participants in Local to Global Justice,” said H.L.T. Quan, an associate professor in ASU's School of Social Transformation and one of the filmmakers who is participating in Friday's film screening.

Friday night also features poet and mental health peer advocate Suzette Shaw, whose personal experience as a downtown Los Angeles Skid Row resident inspires her writing and advocacy. Shaw will read poetry on Friday evening and be part of a Saturday afternoon keynote panel.

Phoenix multimedia artist Gloria Martinez-Granados will join Shaw on Saturday's keynote panel. Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Martinez-Granados adds a contemporary approach to traditional Indigenous practices. Her work was recognized with a Lehmann Emerging Artist Award from the Phoenix Art Museum.

She said her participation in Local to Global "(invites) people to write and imagine what justice looks like locally and globally that will be beautiful to weave together.”

Interview requests can be directed to festival founder Beth Swadener and co-coordinator Sujey Vega.

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