A Conversation About Life and Death in Rwanda: First Presbyterian Church Anniversary Speaker
Sunday, September 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights will host a special, free event featuring Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager portrayed by the actor Don Cheadle in the movie Hotel Rwanda. The format for the evening will be an interview conducted by George Drost, a church member and local attorney involved in international relations and international law. The interview will be followed by a time for questions from the audience.
For 74 days in 1994, hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina shielded 1,268 people from the genocide that killed more than 800,000 in Rwanda. Under Rusesabagina's leadership, the hotel was the only public place where people where safe. Rwandans were killed and beaten in stadiums, schools, and churches, but not at the hotel. Soldiers came to threaten him, slaughter happened outside the gates, but the people at the hotel were safe.
Today, Rusesabagina is president of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, formed to provide a voice to victims of genocide and to support peace efforts in Rwanda and throughout the world. He has received many awards and honors, including America's Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
Rusesabagina, author of An Ordinary Man: An Autobiography, will share stories about the harrowing experience of surviving and protecting others during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and his ongoing work for social justice and human rights. A book signing will take place immediately following the program. Copies of the book will also be available for purchase.
Rusesabagina is the church's 2014 Anniversary Speaker, a recurring series held by First Presbyterian to enlighten and entertain the community. First Presbyterian Church (www.fpcah.org) is located at 302 N. Dunton Ave., near downtown Arlington Heights. The church requests RSVPs to this free event by Friday, September 26, to 847-255-5900 or maryfino@fpcah.org. Seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open at 6:00 pm.