PROVIDENCE, R.I. — January 30, 2007 — The URI Feinstein Providence Campus Gallery will explore in words and images the history of lynching and hate crimes locally, nationally and internationally. The exhibit explores xenophobia from a historical perspective, as well as the continued realities of ethnic cleansing throughout the world.

A Hate Crime is any criminal act against a person, group or property in which the perpetrator intentionally selects the victim because of the victim’s actual or perceived disability, national origin or ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, color, gender or race.

Through artworks, images and information the exhibit will challenge viewers and provide opportunities for their reflection, dialogue and actions. Materials and information are from the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias, Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP, Rhode Island Community for Justice and other local and national organizations for social justice.

The exhibit features photographs, news-clippings and artwork from the collections documentary filmmaker Gode Davis, Reuven Wallack, and Ken Gonzales–Day as well as a performance by the Everett Dance Theatre. The performances will be held on, Feb 2nd at 11 a.m. and Feb 7 and 20 at 7 p.m. These will be followed by a brief talk by documentary filmmaker Gode Davis and a Q&A led by professionals who deal with this controversial subject.

Free and open to the public, the exhibit runs through Feb 23. This exhibit is serious and potentially disturbing due to the gravity of the topic and the level inhumanity involved in this type of violence. It is intended to inform and enlighten not enflame. The Providence Campus gallery is located at 80 Washington St. and is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Sunday and holidays.

For information: 277-5206, spennell@etal.uri.edu