Desert Town Hall-Indian Wells speakers series is in its 17th season bringing famous leaders, writers and icons to the Coachella Valley. Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize 25 years ago, was widely viewed as a guiding force along with Nelson Mandela in bringing an end some 15 years ago to the apartheid system that had long persecuted South Africa’s blacks. Tutu spoke out against the racial injustice, calling for economic sanctions against his home country. He rose to become one of its key voices of conscience.

Actor Louis Gossett Jr. introduces Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Indian Wells. (Richard Lui The Desert Sun)

Mr. Gossett was honored to introduce Archbishop Tutu at this prestigious event. Among the things Tutu talked about was the election of President Barack Obama. “That you could choose for your president a man who is part African what an unbelievable thing,” he said.

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