The University of Illinois at Chicago will host a public lecture by award-winning Mexican poet and activist Javier Sicilia, entitled “When Silence Comes Upon a Poet-National Emergency in Mexico.” The lecture will take place on April 17 from 2pm to 4pm at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, 800 S. Halsted St. Javier Sicilia, a renowned Latin American poet and novelist, will share his journey from writing poetry to launching the national Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity in Mexico. He started the movement shortly after his son’s death — a victim of drug war violence. Admission is free, but seating is limited. For more information or to RSVP, call (312) 996-2445.