Michael Smith: The East Bay Sanctuary Covenant

The East Bay Sanctuary, founded in 1982, assists refugees, particularly Maya, fleeing violence and persecution from Central America's Northern Triangle. With 5 attorneys, 9 paralegals, and volunteers, it has helped thousands, anticipating its 4,000th asylum case win this summer. Michael Smith, Director of the Refugee Rights Program, joined in 1984. An anthropologist, he has received awards from Helen Bamber, the Dalai Lama, and Berkeley Law for his work.

MLF Organizer Patrick O'Reilly presents Michael Smith. The Commonwealth Club of California, founded 1903, is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, hosting over 400 annual events. For more: Subscribe, Events, Membership, Donate, Watch & Listen.