On March 31, Richard Gage, founder of controversial organization Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, will be paying a visit to the University of Winnipeg, where he’ll deliver a presentation that’s more than likely to stir the pot.

The presentation, “9/11: Blueprint for Truth - The Architecture of Destruction,” proposes that the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center collapses were caused by more than just aircraft impacts.

“There is overwhelming evidence that these three towers were destroyed by explosive, controlled demolition,” said Gage, who made a point to refer to three towers instead of the usual two, as his organization holds that the collapse of a nearby high-rise complex is implicated in a larger cover-up.

Gage, an architect for more than 23 years, founded his organization in 2006.

According to Gage, the aim of his presentation tour - which has already covered much of the United States and several other countries, and is currently underway across 11 stops in Canada - is to raise sufficient public awareness of his organization’s message, and consequently to create pressure on governments for a re-investigation into the matter.

“Almost everybody who comes to these presentations ... ends up agreeing with us in that we need a new investigation; that this evidence hasn’t been forthrightly dealt with (by authorities),” said Gage, who encourages professors - especially those of physics, chemistry and architecture - as well as students to attend the event.

Gage also invites skeptics to come and see the presentation for themselves.

“ We don’t have conspiracy theories. We just present the evidence so that people can draw their own conclusions and do their own research.

Richard Gage, founder, Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth

“We don’t have conspiracy theories,” he said, noting that his group does not concern itself with speculation as to who might be to blame for the 9/11 disaster. “We just present the evidence so that people can draw their own conclusions and do their own research.”

However, not everyone seems to have been persuaded by Gage’s evidence.

Several groups and individuals have criticized Architect & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, calling its claims into question with numerous counter-arguments of their own.

Some have also accused the overall 9/11 Truth Movement of employing unscientific methods in its collective approach.

Michael Welch, news director for local radio station CKUW 95.9 FM, is largely involved in Gage’s appearance at the university.

He explained why, in spite of the controversial nature of the organization’s message, he felt that Winnipeggers should have the opportunity to view the presentation.

“I’ve had an ongoing interest in this issue,” he explained. “I, like a lot of people, still have some unanswered questions regarding (the WTC collapses).

“I believe that it is very much in the public interest to investigate issues like these,” he added.

Welch also noted that CKUW possesses the relatively unique ability as an alternative news source to present opinions that are not particularly popular.

“Part of our mandate is to provide a platform for issues of public interest that don’t get sufficient coverage or exposure in mainstream media,” he said. “We’re an independent station, so we don’t have to cater to the market or other higher-ups.”

The “9/11: Blueprint for Truth - The Architecture of Destruction” presentation takes place on Saturday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in room 4M31 at the University of Winnipeg.

Published in Volume 66, Number 25 of The Uniter (March 28, 2012)