Lawson was one of the original Freedom Riders and a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and continues to be an advocate of using non-violent struggle to promote human rights. In 2004, Lawson received the Community of Christ International Peace Award for his work.

Earlier this year, several Iowa CCI members had the opportunity to hear Lawson speak at a conference for the Fair Immigration Reform Movement in Washington, DC. “He's very dynamic. He got people on their feet,” said CCI member Erica Palmer. “It was interesting to hear how he was comparing the struggles of the civil rights movement to struggles that the immigrant rights movement is having.”

Iowa CCI member Julia Rendon said, “The Rev. James Lawson offers a valuable point of view. Grounded in the church and in the civil rights movement, he has continued his work for justice as the world has changed. When a few of us heard him in Washington, DC in January, it was like breathing pure oxygen after living near a factory farm.”  

Following the speech, attendees will have the chance to meet Lawson and purchase books describing his involvement in the civil rights movement. Tickets for the event can be purchased for $15 in advance or for $20 at the door. To purchase tickets, call Iowa CCI at 515-255-0800 or visit their website at http://www.iowacci.org.

This year's CCI convention will also feature several Saturday morning workshops on issues of importance to everyday Iowans, including making Iowa voter-owned, setting a new direction in farm policy, cleaning up Iowa's water, and using the 2008 presidential caucuses to make a difference.