Jim Soto - “Port Huron Statement: Participatory Democracy & America at 250”

The Port Huron Statement was a political manifesto written in the summer of 1962 by the Students for a Democratic Society. Led by Tom Hayden, the 25,700 word statement outlined a new vision for America’s future, including disarmament, a revised Democratic Party, and education reform. It was a catalyst for the 1960s student movements in America. Students for a Democratic Society became a national leader in protesting various issues including the Vietnam War and racial segregation. The Port Huron Statement and its focus on “participatory democracy” has been studied and taught over the decades.

Jim Soto will be presenting his lecture entitled, “The Port Huron Statement: Participatory Democracy and America at 250” and discussing how this local event affected our nation at large.

****************************************

Jim Soto is an English and philosophy associate professor at St. Clair County Community College. He earned his master of science degree in philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and his bachelor in arts degree in philosophy from Reed College in Portland, Oregon.

He has presented on the topic of the Port Huron Statement at an international conference in Iceland as well as during a convention in Grand Rapids, MI. Soto chaired the Port Huron Statement Historical Marker committee who in 2024 received permission from the Department of Natural Resources to place a state historical marker at Lakeport State Park - the site of the signing of the document. This committee raised over $3700 for the project with the Michigan Historical Commission providing an additional $430 to cover the remaining costs of the marker.