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Posted: 11:45 AM- The Brigham Young Students for Alternative Commencement are holding a double film screening as a fundraiser.
ShineBox Media Productions will hold a screening of its film "This Divided State," a documentary about Michael Moore's controversial visit to Utah Valley State College, which will play alongside the documentary "An Unreasonable Man," a documentary about Ralph Nader, on Friday, April 20 at midnight at the University Mall Cinemas.
Friday's film screenings will be free, but donations are being accepted to defray the costs of the April 26 alternative commencement's speakers and their travel, lodging and other associative costs, which organizers said could be about $17,000 if Ralph Nader joins two already confirmed speakers: former U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ashdown, and human rights activist Jack Healey.
"There's a lot of perceptions about Ralph Nader, some of which are more correct than others," said alternative commencement organizer Eric Bybee. "I hope people who want to learn more or have some qualms about him would show up and watch it."
The alternative commencement will begin directly after the official university commencement on the 26th. Students and community members will march from Provo's Memorial Park to a yet-to-be-determined location to listen to speakers.
The event is not a convocation exercise, but a speaking event for the entire Utah community, organizers said.
They have set up a PayPal account at http://www.byualternativecommencement.com" Target="_BLANK">http://www.byualternativecommencement.com to collect donations. Bybee said they already have nearly $3,000, "but there's a long way to go." ----
Sheena McFarland can be contacted at smcfarland@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">smcfarland@sltrib.com or 801-257-8619.