Desmond Tutu visits Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The former Archbishop from South Africa has always fought for human rights.

Tuesday, he continued that fight with his belief that health care is one of those rights.

"What is the use of freedom, if you are hungry, what is the use of freedom if you are sick," said Tutu.

At 78, retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is not done being an activist for human rights.

His issue now is health awareness and Tuesday he was the first to speak as part of a new lecture series at American International College.

"The archbishop is to the world what Martin Luther King was to the United States," said Vince Maniaci, the president of American International College.

Many of the high school and college students who gathered to hear his speech knew little of his contributions to the world.

Jordan Helzer, an Amherst Regional High School student, said, “I had heard the name before but I knew practically nothing about him."

His humor and wit quickly won over the crowd.

Another Amherst Regional High School student, Chaya Tierkel, said, “His speech was just breathtaking, oh my gosh."

It was a recent event in American history that won Tutu over.

"I had never believed that I would live to see the day when a black person would be sitting in the White House," said Tutu.