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Diversity Advocate to Speak at UC Feb. 5
Former Neo-Nazi to Recount His Road to Redemption
Written By Keith Henry, Communications Assistant
Former Neo-Nazi T.J. Leyden talk free, open to public
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (01/28/2009) - He was a wayward 15-year-old when he joined a white supremacist group. And for the next 15 years, T.J. Leyden fomented hate and intolerance while he recruited new members into his neo-Nazi group. But an epiphany turned him away from his life of unmitigated racism and he now uses the insights he gained from his years of working inside the hate group to educate the public about the dangers of these groups and the importance of spreading the word of tolerance.Leyden spent five years working for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, headquartered in Los Angeles, teaching courses on the culture of hate and the need to confront it. He has spoken at the White House Conference on Hate and has trained staff at the Pentagon, the FBI and military bases across the country. He has also spoken to more than 600,000 students over the years.
What made a committed racist turn his life around and embrace diversity and racial harmony? The public is invited to come hear his incredible story when he visits Utica College for an evening presentation and discussion as he describes his transformation and outlines steps communities can take to embrace diversity and cultivate tolerance. The event is free but reservations are required and will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 in the Library Concourse. Anyone planning to attend is asked to contact Maureen Murphy, assistant director of student activities, at (315) 792-3037 or e-mail her at mrmurphy@utica.edu.
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