The committee planning Tennessee’s annual Human
Rights Day celebration has just released the names of the 2014 awardees.
Human Rights Day in Tennessee has
become a time to celebrate the leaders of yesterday and recognize those taking
up the torch for tomorrow, a time to look at battles won and lessons learned as
well as to inspire the youth of today to do something about the state of the
world tomorrow. It occurs each year on December 10th, and this year the
celebration will take place at the First Amendment Center.
The
event centers on the Human Rights Lifetime Achievement awards. Awardees in this category are Father Joseph
Breen, formerly of St. Edward Church who is known widely for his work to strike
down the 2009 “English Only” proposition in Nashville; and First Baptist Church
Capitol Hill which has long served as a beacon for the civil rights movement.
“Rising
Advocate” awards will also be given to individuals who have been working in the
field of human rights for a short time, but show great promise for the future. Planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler
says, “This is a great chance to recognize the leaders of tomorrow.” Rising
Advocate awards this year will go to Eben Cathey with the Tennessee Immigrant
and Refugee Rights Coalition and Daynise Joseph with Organized Neighbors of
Edgehill.
The
Committee has also revealed a new award this year: the Outstanding Service for
Human Rights Award. Recipients of this honor include Yuri Cunza with the
Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Avi Poster who has championed
immigrant rights for years.
The committee organizing the event
for Human Rights Day includes the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro
Human Relations Commission, Church of Scientology, Muslim Women’s Council and
Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The event is
free and open to the public. Networking
begins at 5pm and the program starts at 5:30.
For more information or to become involved, visit www.nashvillehumanrights.org.
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