Roxana Saberi, Journalist Formerly Imprisoned in Iran, to Speak in Palo Alto Nov. 15 November 15, 2010

Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation will host a community conversation featuring Roxana Saberi, a journalist and author of "Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran," which details the story of her arrest and imprisonment in Iran after being falsely accused of spying for the U.S.

An award-winning journalist, Saberi was working as a freelance reporter in Tehran, Iran, when she was accused of being a U.S. spy and sentenced in April 2009 to eight years in prison. She served 100 days in the notorious Evin Prison before being released following an international uproar. Since then, Saberi has spoken out for human rights and against Iran’s “prisoners of conscience,” individuals who have been detained following the 2009 Iranian Presidential election. Saberi holds dual American-Iranian citizenship and grew up in Fargo, N.D. She went to Iran in 2003, where she freelanced for the BBC and National Public Radio. Her new book, "Between Two Worlds," has been described as “an extraordinary story of how an innocent young woman got caught up in the current of political events.”

“By telling my story and the stories of women who have been punished for peacefully standing up for basic human rights, I hope that people can learn what I learned about courage, doing what is right despite all difficulties, and the impact each individual can make by speaking out for others struggling to get their own voices heard,” Saberi said.

To RSVP for the November 15 Community Conversation, call 510-786-2500 x226, or visit www.facinghistory.org/communityconversations.

This event is part of a national series presented by Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation. Community Conversations bring prominent authors, scholars, filmmakers, and policy leaders together with audiences across the nation to discuss topics of civic participation, individual and collective responsibility and diversity.

Official Website: http://www.facinghistory.org/communityconversations