1​968 Olympian​ & Rights Activist Tommie Smith To Speak At SCC

FAIRFIELD, CA – Tommie Smith, the 1968 Olympian and human-rights activist, will speak Thursday, Feb. 8 at Solano Community College to commemorate Black History Month.

According to organizers, including the SCC Educational Foundation:

"Smith, the only man in the history of track and field to hold eleven world records simultaneously, is a distinguished human rights activist both nationally and internationally.

"Smith is best known for breaking the 200-meter World and Olympic records with a time of 19.83 seconds during the historic 19th Olympiad in Mexico City in 1968. At the victory podium, Smith and John Carlos, draped with their Olympic medals, each raised a clinched fist wearing a black leather glove in a historic stand for black power, liberation, and solidarity.

"This courageous, unexpected event propelled Smith into the worldwide spotlight as a human rights spokesman, activist, and symbol of pride for African Americans and for oppressed people around the world. Cheered by some and jeered by others, Smith made a commitment to dedicate his life to champion the cause of oppressed people."

The story of the “silent gesture” is captured in the 1999 HBO TV documentary, "Fists of Freedom" and in a 2008 ESPN documentary “Return to Mexico City.”

The event will be held at the Solano Community College Theatre (Bldg. 1200) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is also available in Lot 2.

Smith will be selling his book and t-shirts, and signing items in the theatre lobby following the event. Smith’s book will also be available for purchase in the Solano College Bookstore.

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--Pixabay image via NikolayFrolochkin