Robert Meeropol, son of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, American citizens executed in 1953 for alleged conspiracy to commit espionage, will be speaking to the public for free on March 22 in Porter Hall 100 at 7:30 p.m.

Meeropol's parents were accused during the anti-Communist McCarthy era of giving the Soviet Union secrets about United States atomic bomb plans. During this period, a state-sponsored, nationalistic witch-hunt landed many innocent citizens in jail and ruined their careers. Meeropol believes that since September 11, the current US government has been taking the same type of action as the government did when he was a child. In a recent University press release, Meeropol identified similarities between the two eras: government seems to be repressing individuals who resist repression and promote peace, and labels these people dangerous.

In addition to his touring, Meeropol has founded the Rosenberg Fund for Children. The Fund, founded in 1990, helps children of parents that have been jailed, injured, or killed during their peace promoting activities. Meeropol did not have such an organization during his parents’ trial and execution and feels that he and his older brother would have benefited from it. The Rosenberg Fund also aids young activists themselves. Since its induction, the foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in aid to those youths in need of care.

Meeropol will also speak Tuesday at the Teplitz Mock Courtroom at the University of Pittsburgh Law School at 2 p.m.