A May Day march through the town and  the University of Georgia campus was organized by the Athens for Everyone community activism  group. The Workers for Human Rights March was a spirited addition to the festival.  Joy and I posed in our festival t-shirts with the event’s stage in the background.

Festival Great at 38

The 38th Annual Athens Human Rights Festival rocked the town square on April 30 and May 1, 2016. African American artist Broderick Flanigan designed this year’s festival logo featuring protest marchers and a Maypole.  Longtime festival volunteer Chuck Harper made an actual Maypole that was enjoyed by festival participants.  Speakers on a host of timely issues included Linda Lloyd with the local Economic Justice Coalition and Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Melissa Link.  Information booths from various groups and causes received many visitors during the springtime political and cultural rights festival.

Music is a mainstay at the Athens Human Rights Festival and the 2016 event featured a rocking roster of performers including Ain’t Sisters, The Heap, Girls With Guitars, Mr. Jordan & Mr. Tonks, Kite to the Moon (whose audience danced in the rain), gospel singer Teresa Haynes, and singer/guitarist Caroline Aiken. Atlanta street theater troupe Dancing Flowers for Peace entertained festival-goers with their popular act again this year.

The rights rites of spring in Athens are fun for children and adults. Face painting, yoga masters and street art were all part of the event this year.