Talk to focus on Cleveland's civil rights history

Westlake Porter Public Library will present a talk by author James Robenalt about Cleveland’s unique place in civil rights history on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration is required.

Based on Robenalt’s book "Ballots and Bullets: Black Power Politics and Urban Guerilla Warfare in 1968 Cleveland," the talk will cover the Glenville Riots, visits to the city by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X (including his iconic “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech), the election of Carl Stokes as the first black mayor of a major American city, Bobby Kennedy’s “Mindless Menace of Violence” speech delivered here, and how all of these played into national politics at the time and still affect society and politics today.

Robenalt is the author of "January 1973," "The Harding Affair" and "Linking Rings." He is also an attorney and partner at Thompson Hine’s Business Litigation practice group and a member of the advisory board for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

To register or for more information please call 440-871-2600 or visit westlakelibrary.evanced.info.