1st Annual Amnesty OKC Human Rights Defender Awards

Amnesty International OKC will begin presenting three annual human rights awards in 2017

* David C. Craighead Human Rights award
* Amnesty OKC Member of the Year
* Student Activist of the Year

The award presentation is scheduled to recognize the date of May 28, 1961, when a letter by Peter Berenson was published in The Observer in London that condemned the imprisonment of students in Portugal for merely raising a toast to freedom. Within six months, the organization had officially formed and had chapters in 7 countries. Today the organization is one of the largest human rights activist organizations in the world with millions of members. It’s research and advocacy arms are acclaimed factors in the documentation and reduction of human rights abuses.

The Oklahoma City chapter meets monthly and holds regular letter-writing events to address the urgent action campaigns organized by the national and international Amnesty offices. It also meets with elected officials to lobby for legislation to advance human rights around the world.

Included in the evening will be unique interactive entertainment. with local singer/songwriter Jonathon Marshall leading a singalong and jam session of songs about justice and activism, like “If I Had a Hammer,” “This Land is Your Land.” and “This Little Light of Mine.” Attenders are encouraged to bring instruments, from kazoos to violins, to join in!