The annual Digital Be-In brings together an eclectic blend of people and groups whose work and play with creative digital media is transforming the worlds of publishing, media production, communication and education. Over the past 10 years, the event has morphed from a small digital art salon during the Macworld Expo conference into an influential cyber-culture gathering featuring futurists, social innovators, techno-artists, and innovative music and visual performances. "Our previous themes of 'Freedom of Speech on the Internet,' where the EFF Blue Ribbon campaign was launched, and 'Cultural Diversity in Cyberspace' have been effective rallying points. We are very pleased and stimulated to be working with the UN, Amnesty and many other groups addressing human rights issues this year." said event founder Michael Gosney.

The Be-In will be the kick-off event for a year of Human Rights activities in the Bay Area. Also, experts in the digital media field associated with the Be-In will be releasing a proposed "Declaration of Human Rights in Cyberspace" that addresses the fast-approaching impact of cyberspace on society and personal freedoms.

Speakers scheduled to appear include Bill McCarthy, chairman of the UN 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights committee; Tony Gonzales of the International Indian Treaty Council; and Claire Greensfelder of Greenpeace and Abolition 2000. Also speaking will be cyberspace pioneer Mark Pesce, and Be-In co-producer and Internet expert Robert Gelman, on Human Rights in Cyberspace. Performance highlights include world-renowned African musician Hamza El Din, dijeridoo player Stephen Kent, electronica acts E.T.I. and Ceiba, a multimedia performance piece by EZTV, and the legendary George Clinton performing with the Mixmaster digital mixing system.

At 10:30, the event shifts into an amazing all-night multi-room techno party, featuring house, techno, drum and bass, trance and ambient music from some of San Francisco's leading performers and DJs. A live netcast will transmit portions of many of the speeches and performances with streaming video and audio. In addition, the diverse editorial staff will be writing articles and photographing the evening's events which will be uploaded instantly to the Digital Be-In Web site, at http://www.be-in.com. The Be-In Human Rights in Cyberspace Web site will be developed during the year-long United Nations campaign.