ORONO – Paul Rusesabagina, hero of the film “Hotel Rwanda,” is among the speakers coming to the University of Maine for Black History Month and Human Rights Week events this month.

He is scheduled to speak and do a book signing at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at the Maine Center for the Arts. The lecture is free, although campus sponsors will accept donations, according to co-organizer Jose Cordero, interim director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and the African, Latino, Asian, Native American Center at UM.

Black History Month events include a range of activities scheduled for Human Rights Awareness Week, Feb. 13-19.

There also will be a screening of “Hotel Rwanda” at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, in Room 100, D.P. Corbett Business Building.

Rusesabagina is the former assistant manager of the hotel Les Milles Collines in Kigali, Rwanda. He saved the lives of more than 1,000 Rwandan refugees targeted for extermination by Hutu government militia members during 100 days of Rwandan genocide in 1994.

He received several humanitarian awards for his heroic actions stalling government militia members who had surrounded the hotel with the intention of executing refugees inside. Rusesabagina called in favors, solicited international intervention and managed to keep the militia at bay until the genocidal attacks ceased.

“Hotel Rwanda” is the award-winning film credited with bringing worldwide attention to the atrocities in Rwanda. During the so-called 100 days of genocide, Hutu militia slaughtered more than 800,000 members of the minority Tutsi ethnic group.

Black History Month and Human Rights Awareness Week activities are designed to raise awareness of some of the general issues of diversity, said Cordero, whether a subject like interracial dating at UM or the politics of social subjects not commonly discussed openly.

“Being a predominantly white campus, it’s about being more aware of all cultures,” Cordero said. “It’s a great way to bring people together and talk about issues that don’t get talked about a lot. The goal is to talk about issues and awareness. I think we should understand that UMaine is a very diverse place.”

Jim Varner, adviser to the UM Human Rights Coalition and president emeritus of the Greater Bangor Area Chapter of the NAACP, said it’s important for Maine residents, in addition to students, to understand how black people have helped build and lead the nation.

“I think Black History Month is especially important here in Maine, seeing as Maine is the whitest state in the country, with less than 2 percent of the population being black, Native American, Hispanic, Asian or other,” Varner added.

For more information about events, call Cordero at 581-1428.

Thursday, Feb. 15:

. “Immigration and University Students,” Socialist-Marxist Studies lecture series, 12:30-1:45 p.m., Bangor Room, sponsored by SHAC and the philosophy department.

. “Iraq for Sale,” Maine Peace Action committee movie, 7 p.m., 140 Little Hall.

Friday, Feb. 16:

“Invisible Children” screening, noon, Coe Room, Memorial Union, discussion, with soup and bread, sponsored by the Old Town-Orono Rotary Club.

Saturday, Feb. 17:

Community Service Volunteer Projects to assist Cross Roads, Big Red Redemption Center and Rag Dolls 2 Love.

Sunday, Feb. 18:

. African artifacts display and Black History Month discussion with Jim Varner and professor Forrest Pritchett of Seton Hall University, noon-3 p.m., Bangor Room, Memorial Union.

. “Hotel Rwanda” screening, 8 p.m., Room 100, D.P. Corbett Business Building, Room 100, followed by discussion.

Monday, February 19:

Human Rights Week keynote speaker Paul Rusesabagina, 7 p.m., Maine Center for the Arts Hutchins Hall, book signing; donations accepted.

Wednesday, Feb. 21:

. “OM! A Street Corner Griot’s Comedy” by the Black Theatre Company, sponsored by BSU and Multicultural Programs, 3 p.m. 101 Neville Hall.

. “Why Is Black History Month Important and Who Benefits?” a discussion with Bernice M. Brown of Hampden and James Varner, 7-8:30 p.m., 101 Neville Hall.

Sunday, Feb. 25:

. Princely Players, “On the Road to Glory,” 3 p.m., Maine Center for the Arts. Tickets, 581-1755; students admitted free with a MaineCard.

. African-theme dinner, 6 p.m., Bodwell Lounge, Maine Center for the Arts. Tickets $50; call 581-1755.

Wednesday, Feb. 28:

Solidarity Jazz and R&B Concert, featuring Jimmy “Fingers” Varner from Los Angeles, 7 p.m., Hauck Auditorium.