Jerry Falwell to Discuss Influence of Evangelists

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, leader of a six-million-member conservative lobbying group, will give an address on the political influence of evangelists tonight in Ames Courtroom.

At the presentation, entitled "The Evangelical Vote: Is It Monolithic?", the controversial right-wing preacher will talk about how voters respond to calls from religious leaders. Tonight's speech is the second in the Law School Forum's annual lecture series.

Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Event organizers are expecting a large turnout, and there will be a video overflow room for those who cannot be seated in the Law School courtroom.

Falwell is the leader of the Liberty Federation, a conservative political group which includes the Moral Majority. He also founded the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, and now preaches to television and radio audiences of millions.

The evangelist last spoke at Harvard two years ago. At that time, security was tight because the University anticipated hecklers like those who disrupted an earlier speech by Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger '38.

Several students quietly demonstrated against Falwell outside Austin Hall then, but Falwell's speech drew only mild hissing from the audience.

Harvard police will provide security for tonight's event, said James W. Peck-Gray, 26, Forum president and a third-year law student.