“A New Insurgency: The Port Huron Statement in its Time and Ours” brings together world-renowned activists and scholars to mark the 50th anniversary of The Port Huron Statement , the historic manifesto of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) first issued in June 1962. Tapping the viewpoints of those present at the creation of the Statement as well as those historians, humanists, and social scientists who have studied that period, “A New Insurgency” draws attention to the complex scene of social-justice and leftwing activist movements that laid the seed-bed for The Port Huron Statement —and then helped spread and amplify its visions of social change.

“A New Insurgency” will engage today’s generation of students and activists in all the conference proceedings. Following this year’s summer-reading programs focused on The Port Huron Statement (for incoming UM first-years in several special college programs), the conference will feature an all-student panel on the meaning of the Statement’s New Left principles today. A concluding panel on Friday, November 2, will feature representatives of current campus activist groups discussing the present and future course of movements for equality, social justice, and democracy. Lunch-time sessions on Thursday and Friday will provide “open mic” discussion by veterans of the “Port Huron” moment and newcomers to the history of that time.

“A New Insurgency” runs from Wednesday, October 31, 7:30 pm, through the evening of Friday, November 2. Evening keynote events take place in Room 100 of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library; daily panels are held in the Michigan Union, both on the University of Michigan campus.

All events are free and open to the public. Those planning to attend should take advantage of the free registration available on this website.