UMass Amherst Libraries Cancel Talk by Ray Luc Levasseur

Nov. 5, 2009

Contact:

Ed Blaguszewski 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries has canceled a Nov. 12 talk by Ray Luc Levasseur, a former leader of the United Freedom Front.

“The UMass Libraries developed this forum as an opportunity to focus on terrorism, one of the most difficult social issues confronting the country,” said Robert Cox, head of Special Collections and University Archives. “However, it is now clear that given the strong reaction generated by this event, we can no longer achieve the kind of meaningful exchange intended. Continuing with this talk would be counterproductive, but the Libraries will continue to seek avenues to explore significant issues in social change.”

Levasseur was invited to present his perspective on a landmark 1989 sedition trial in which he was acquitted. While inviting Levasseur to address this topic, the UMass Amherst Libraries made clear that it condemned his past violent acts and the violent acts of other United Freedom Front members.

The Libraries hold an annual Colloquium on Social Change, now in its fifth year. This year, Levasseur was one of three people scheduled to speak who represent different responses to the social unrest of the late 1960s. The other two speakers are writers and activists Todd Gitlin and Raymond Mungo.

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