|
|
|
This Month in Human Rights
and Social Justice
|
|
The upcoming events and dates below are opportunities for all of us to recognize and remember those who speak out and take action to alleviate
discrimination, promote tolerance, and achieve justice for victims of
social injustice.
April News and Events
2016 Salem Award Winners Honored
The SAF recognized three exceptional individuals for their commitment to human rights and social justice at this year's Salem Award Ceremony on March 20 at the Bridge at 211. Long-time Swampscott resident Anne Driscoll was honored for her contributions to the wrongful conviction effort, which she has brought to international attention with her work at the Irish Innocence Project. Two Salem students were also presented with Rising Leader awards in recognition of their dedication to human rights: Jhonel Roberts, Senior, Salem High School and Evan Aroko, Senior, Salem Academy Charter School. Congratulations Anne, Jhonel and Evan!
|
| |
From left to right: Justin Vernon, SAF Board; Jhonel Roberts, Rising Leader Award; Anne Driscoll, 2016 Salem Award Recipient; Evan Aroko, Rising Leader Award; Shelby Hypes, SAF Chair.
|
April 9 Abolition Acre Walk 'n Talk Horace Seldon, 2013 winner of the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice, will lead a "Walk 'n Talk" of Abolition Acre, an area in Boston
 |
| |
Horace Seldon
|
where three prominent abolitionists lived and worked: David Walker author of Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World; Maria W. Stewart, one of the first black women to lecture publicly against slavery; and William Lloyd Garrison, whose Liberator newspaper had offices on Cornhill St. Learn more at www.abolitionacre.com. 1:00 pm at Abolition Acre 26 Court Street, Boston Free April 17 Brain, Religion, and Terrorism: An Islam and America program Dr. Majed Ashy teaches at Merrimack College and conducts research with colleagues at Boston University and McLean Hospital. His studies examine the psychological and biological factors contributing to cross-cultural attitudes towards war, peace, apology, forgiveness, terrorism, extremism, human rights, and others.
Islam and America is a series sponsored by the First Church in Salem, UU. 1:00 pm at First Church in Salem, Unitarian316 Essex Street, Salem Free
April 7 International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda
In 2005, the United Nations established a program of commemorative activities to mark the Rwandan Genocide, which occurred from April 7-July 15, 1994. During that relatively brief period, an estimated 500,000-1,000,000 Rwandans were killed, approximately 70% of the Tutsi and 20% of Rwanda's total population. The commemoration focuses on learning the lessons of the Rwandan Genocide in order to help prevent similar acts in the future. Since 2005, observances have spread to over 20 countries worldwide. Learn more.
 May 1-8 Holocaust Days of
Remembrance
Although this observance typically occurs in April, Yom HaShoah lands on May 5 this year. The U.S. Congress established the Holocaust Days of Remembrance as a national annual commemoration of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. One of this year's themes, "Justice and Accountability," examines the precedent established during The Nuremberg Trial of 1945-46: Individual officials can be held responsible for "crimes against humanity" and for implementing policies that violate international law--regardless of their status as government officials. Learn more.
We thank the City of Salem for its ongoing financial support to the Salem Award Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. However, the majority of our funding comes through individual donations.
We know of your interest in the Salem Award and want  to keep you up to date. Thank you for your generosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
