Consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader will speak at Berkshire Community on Saturday afternoon, April 21, at 2 in the college’s Robert Boland Theatre. His presentation, “Challenging Corporate Power and Building Democracy,†is free and open to the public but requires a ticket for admission.
Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis through the Office of Student Life in the Susan B. Anthony Center on BCC’s main campus in Pittsfield. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8 to 4. Tickets may be obtained in-person, by phone or e-mail.
Tickets for walk-in requests will be available beginning Monday, April 9. Requests to reserve tickets may be made now through Thursday, April 19, by calling 413-236-1660, or by e-mailing mzancona@berkshirecc.edu. No more than 10 tickets may be reserved per call or e-mail. Reserved tickets may be held in the theatre’s box office for pickup on April 21. Tickets that are not claimed by 1:50 will be released for walk-in requests.
E-mail requests should include “Ralph Nader tickets†in the subject line. The text of the message should include the first and last name of the person making the request, number of tickets requested, and a statement specifying whether the tickets should be held at the box office or prepared for earlier pickup at the Office of Student Life.
Named as “One of the 100 Most Influential Americans of the Twentieth Century†by Time magazine, and more recently as “One of the 100 Most Influential Figures in American History†by The Atlantic Monthly magazine, Nader began his public life in 1965 with the publication of his book “Unsafe at Any Speed,†in which he accused the auto industry of disregarding their customer’s safety. The Senate hearing into his accusations and the resulting motor safety laws catapulted Nader into the public sphere.
In subsequent years, working with lawmakers, Nader was instrumental in creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Consumer Product Safety Commission. He also helped to draft and pass such laws as the Safe Drinking Water Act, Meat and Poultry Inspection Rules, Air and Water Pollution Control, and Freedom of Information Act.
Working to empower the average American, Nader has formed numerous citizen groups, including the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Pension Rights Center, National Coalition for Universities in the Public Interest, and the student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) that operate in more than 20 states.
Recently the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, “An Unreasonable Man,†Nader is also the author of a number of best-selling books including “Winning the Insurance Game,†“Why Women Pay More†and “Getting the Best From Your Doctor.†More recent books include “Children First: A Parents Guide to Fighting Corporate Predators†and “The Seventeen Traditions.â€
A question and answer period, and a book signing, will follow his presentation. Forum credit is available for BCC students.
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Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens once wrote, "times change and men often with them, but principles never!"
However, a poiltician's principles often change based on coming political storms. Hillary Clinton is great example of person who has changed her principles, but Ralph Nader remains true to his timeless principles of good clean government and consumer safety.
If Nader runs consider voting for him, because neither party's candidates owns you so they doon't own your vote. Nader can't steal the votes from Democrats which Democrats do not possess; they must earn them as must any candidate.
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
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