Global environmental movement leader to deliver E.N. Thompson lecture

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a powerful voice in the global youth-led environmental movement, will present “Roots of Revolution” at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

The free event is the third lecture in the 2020-21 E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues. To order tickets, click here, call 402-472-4747 or visit the Lied Center box office, 301 N. 12th St. The forum is general admission, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the event will feature socially distanced seating. In addition, all patrons, volunteers and staff will be required to wear face coverings while inside the Lied Center. For more information on the Lied’s ticketing policies and health and safety measures, click here.

Martinez is an American environmental activist, hip hop artist and youth director of Earth Guardians, a worldwide conservation organization. He has spoken to large crowds regarding the impacts of fossil fuels on the indigenous and other marginalized communities. He has also presented at the United Nations several times.

Martinez is one of 21 plaintiffs in Juliana v. United States, a lawsuit filed against the U.S. government for failing to act on climate change.

A pre-forum talk by Margaret Huettle, assistant professor of history and ethnic studies at Nebraska, is available here.

This year’s E.N. Thompson series, “Regeneration: Leadership and Hope for a Changing Planet,” focuses on how people can and should thoughtfully respond to current issues, from COVID-19 to climate change to political polarization.

The series continues with a youth panel on climate change at 7 p.m. Feb. 23; and Ann Bancroft, polar explorer, climate advocate and philanthropist, will speak at 7 p.m. March 31. All events will be at the Lied Center except for the youth panel, which will be at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts.

Events will be streamed on the E.N. Thompson Forum website. All other livestreams will be available on NET, LNKTV City and LNKTV Education. Events will also be accessible on campus channel 4 and KRNU radio 90.3 FM. All talks are interpreted for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

The E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues is a cooperative project of the Cooper Foundation, Lied Center and the university. It was established in 1988 with the purpose of bringing a diversity of viewpoints on international and public policy issues to the university and people of Nebraska to promote understanding and encourage discussion.