Backgrounder, Culture

Artists, Activists from Near and Far Unite to Promote Equal Rights in Athens Festival

For four decades, artists, musicians, poets, speakers and activists have united in a vibrant festival that draws both locals and travelers to Athens for a weekend celebrating social justice and equality. The Athens Human Rights Festival is an annual event that showcases a variety of talents as well as activities for a wide range of interests, all in the mission of advocating for peace and acceptance. 

The festival began in 1979 when the UGA Free Speech Task Force organized the Memorial Students’ Rights Festival to commemorate the 9-year anniversary of the Kent State murders. Since its inception, the festival has grown from a rally to a large celebratory gathering that draws thousands.

This year, the festival celebrates 39 years since its creation and will take place on May 6 and 7.

The nonprofit, grassroots organization that supports the festival of the same name runs entirely on donations and volunteer work to fulfill its mission, according to its website.

“Well-known festival speakers have included poet Coleman Barks, Freedom Rider Hank Thomas, international activist Nisha Anand, physicist Michio Kaku and ‘60s hell-raiser John Sinclair,” said festival volunteer Ed Tant via his personal website.

Aside from big names, the festival has featured many local performers and speakers who want to deliver the festival’s message, such as the Fuzzy Sprouts, Five-Eight, Dr. Louis Carrick and Macha.

“There’s a lot of great events going on, but this is the only one I can think of that devotes as much attention to not only talking about human rights but letting people exercise them,” Dave Domizi, bassist and vocalist for the Fuzzy Sprouts, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1999.

Both performers and festival attendees—who are able to set up tables to share information—advocate for certain topics, such as LGBTQ issues, the AIDS epidemic, anti-war messages, climate change and animal rights.

Other aspects of the festival include an international parade, face-painting, drumming, a drag show and art auctions.

“My reason for coming changes every year,” said Joe Morrone, 31, in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1994. “It helps me keep in touch. When you see more people with the same goals, it’s uplifting.”

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