Bill Ayers, co-founder of the Weather Underground and professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will speak in the Carl J. Shapiro Theater April 30 after several weeks of negotiations and discussion, according to a Democracy for America and Students for a Democratic Society press release yesterday. "Tickets will go on sale after spring break, the price will be $5 and will be available on a first come, first serve basis with a Brandeis ID. 230 tickets will be available for sale. This event is limited to members of the Brandeis Community only," wrote Democracy For America member and event coordinator Liza Behrendt in the press release.

The press release was endorsed by Democracy for America, Students for a Democratic Society, the Social Justice Committee and four academic programs-Peace, Conflict and Coexistence studies, History, Education and the Social Justice and Social Policy.

Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan told the Justice, "I believe that [DFA member and Senator for the Class of 2011 Lev Hirschhorn] reached out to a wide variety of organizations to fund the event, and I think that we all worked together to support this event and help this student organize this event."

Berhendt explained in an interview with the Justice that, "the largest hurdle was the original security costs, which were far beyond what we [the coordinators] could afford to grant the event." She added that there have been several small holdups, including the [March 7] overturning of the [$900 Senate Money Resolution] by the [Union Judiciary]."

When asked about the specific security cost figures, she said, "I am not allowed to disclose those numbers due to requests by campus security, but I can tell you that we spent $2,200 on Ayers' booking fee, which included his transportation."

Callahan said, "I can tell you that we are going to use a variety of public safety that we use at a lot of events. We are going to have several officers on duty [and] utilize a metal detector, which is consistent with other locations that have hosted [Ayers]." Callahan added that the security measures that will be taken will be similar to those taken at events that have been hosted in the past.

Berhendt also said, "[Vice President for Campus Operations Mark] Collins told us that he was forwarding the [Ayers event contract between the University and Evil Twin Booking] to [Senior Vice President for Student and Enrollment] Jean Eddy's office about two weeks ago, but I'm unsure of what the holdup was. I was just aware of the fact that it was in her office and waiting for her signature to become official."

Eddy and Collins could not be reached for comment by press time.

Berhendt told the Justice that while DFA knew for weeks that Ayers "would definitely be coming," "[everyone involved] chose not to inform the press because the official contract had not been signed by both parties, and we shared the fear that [making an announcement] would cause the event to fall through."

According to the press release, "[Ayers] will be speaking about social justice, activism and his experiences in the Weather Underground. This will include a [question-and-answer] session afterwards. During the preceding week we will hold educational events about the speaker."

In a phone interview with the Justice, Ayers said, "I can't wait to come speak to [Brandeis. Speaking at colleges is] one of those things that I do often but [is] still exciting."

An event similar to one planned for Brandeis was canceled last week at Boston College due to protests and the college's fears regarding the safety of the students and faculty. Ayers had already flown from Chicago to Boston before the event's cancellation. Due to this there is logistical discussion regarding a clause in the contract that would address what would happen in a similar situation, Berhendt said.

Regarding the Boston College cancellation and ones similar, Ayers said, "Cancellations are part of the world we [speakers] live in. There are those who wish to portray themselves as defenders of democracy and unfortunately try to deny certain scholars or speakers from sharing their views with other."

"DFA and SDS are so grateful to the University and everyone involved in creating this event," Behrendt said.



-Nashrah Rahman contributed reporting