MEDIA ALERT: Memorial Honoring Sexual and Human Trafficking Victims to be Installed at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta
For Immediate Release Memorial Honoring Sexual and Human Trafficking Victims to be Installed at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta Former U.S. Congressman Mike Honda to Speak at Atlanta Press Conference Atlanta, Georgia. A press conference to announce the installation of a permanent outdoor Memorial honoring female victims of sexual and human trafficking during World War II at the Center for Civil and Human Rights will take place Thursday, February 9, 2017 at noon. Former U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (CA 17th Dist.), a longtime advocate for sexual and human trafficking victims and the lead sponsor of U.S. House Resolution 121, will be speaking. The Memorial, slated to be installed in late Spring, honors the approximately 200,000+ women and girls throughout Asia and the Dutch East Indies who were trafficked and sexually enslaved before and during World War II by the Japanese Imperial Army. Known as the “comfort women,” their tragedy is one of the largest known cases of human trafficking in the 20th century. The Memorial project is a partnership between the Atlanta Comfort Women Memorial Task Force and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, who has agreed to serve as the site host. Roger Baik Kyu Kim serves as the Chair of the 24 member Task Force, and Congressman Mike Honda serves as the National Task Force Advisor. Georgia Public Service Commissioner Timothy Echols, who is a longtime advocate against sexual and human trafficking in Georgia, serves as the Task Force Statewide Advisor. “Protecting the rights of women is paramount to why the National Center for Civil and Human Rights exists,” said Derreck Kayongo, CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, “We are honored to memorialize these brave women who sacrificed so much.” WHAT: Press Conference to Announce Public Launch of Comfort Women Memorial Project. WHEN: Thursday, February 9th at 12:00 PM WHERE: Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, ground floor, Event Room B. WHO: Former U.S. Congressman Mike Honda; Task Force Chair Roger Baik Kyu Kim; and Senior Advisor for Partner Engagement for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Deborah Richardson. CONTACT: Helen Kim Ho (Atlanta Comfort Women Memorial Task Force, 404-232-5219 or Kristie C. Raymer (National Center for Civil and Human Rights), 404-835-4281
Marking the Anniversary of the UDHR: Support Refugees
Author of this blog post, Jill Savitt is a human rights advocate with expertise in the fields of genocide prevention and strategic communications for advocacy campaigns on human rights issues. She is also the Human Rights Curator of The Center’s SPARK OF CONVICTION exhibition. December 10, Human Rights Day, will mark the 68th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights (UDHR) – the bill of rights for all mankind. Created in the aftermath of the horrors of World War II, and built from the tenets of constitutions and religions around the world, the UDHR outlines a set of universal standards for human dignity. One core principle addresses the right of everyone to leave their country if they have a credible fear of being harmed there – killed, tortured, or politically persecuted – and to find safety and protection in another country. An entire body of law has developed around the rights of refugees – and the obligations of governments to take in those forced to flee their homes. Right now, according to the United Nations, there are now some 20 million refugees around the world – the largest number since World War II. Syrians account for the greatest number – more than half the country’s population is displaced, by barrel bombs and chemical attacks and other violence from the Assad regime, and more recently, from violence by the so-called Islamic State. Most have fled to neighboring countries – Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. But the humanitarian commitment from Western governments to aid refugees has fallen considerably below the level of need, which has put an increased burden on the countries closest to Syria. As a result, neighboring countries have imposed restrictions on allowing more refugees in, and have made life even harder — and harsher — for those who have already fled. That’s why so many more Syrians have attempted to get into Europe – more than a million over the past year. Some have attempted the dangerous journey by sea – and lost their lives, as was so tragically represented by the images of three-year-old Alan Kurdi, who drowned; since 2014, more than 7,000 people have died at sea making the journey. Despite the evidence of so much despair, Europe has been closing its borders, and the United States has been equally unwelcoming. Historically the global leader on refugee resettlement and humanitarian aid, the United States, as of this fall, had resettled just 10,000 Syrians – less than 0.2 percent of the total Syrian refugee population. In part, the response is because of an upsurge in nativism. Populist leaders in Europe and the US have launched full-throated campaigns to demonize refugees – claiming, often with no concrete evidence, that refugees will take jobs, burden economies and commit terrorist acts. These populists distort legitimate fears and anxieties for their own political gain. One country’s response to Syria’s refugees has been entirely different. Canada has welcomed tens of thousands of Syria’s refugees, and the country’s president, Justin Trudeau, has even greeted new arrivals at the airport. In addition to a traditional government program for refugee resettlement, Canada allows private citizens to sponsor individual refugees and their families. Private citizens agree to pay for refugees’ travel, as well as their housing and food for one year, and commit to helping refugees integrate into life in Canada. Groups of friends, family or co-workers form to share the costs. The bonds of friendship that have formed between Canadians and new arrivals are life affirming – and show what is possible when people connect on a human level. Perhaps more importantly, Canada has experienced absolutely no negative economic or security consequences for its generosity. The United States does not yet allow private sponsorship by citizens, though US refugee advocates are increasingly putting this issue on the policy agenda. But we don’t need to wait for an official program to welcome refugees, especially those who have arrived recently from Syria or elsewhere; over the past decade, the US has resettled more than a million refugees – so there are many people to meet, welcome, and embrace. From inviting a refugee for coffee or dinner to pushing back on racist claims on social media, Americans can make good on the promises and spirit of the UDHR. This would make an enormous contribution to changing the negative, and false, narrative that has taken hold about refugees. In polarized and perilous times, individual acts of humanity are essential to turn the tide. This requires people to act their conscience – to not only think in new ways, but to act. Will you commit to making December 10, the anniversary of the UDHR, the day you do?
The Way Forward by Deborah Richardson
Deborah Richardson is the Executive Vice President of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. There has been much analysis on the outcome of our recent Presidential Election. I applaud Secretary Clinton for her gracious concession and addressing her supporters regarding the need to move past the divisive culture created in the campaign toward peace and conciliation. This evening, I had the pleasure of having dinner with my niece and nephew who both attended Georgetown University and are certainly part of the Talented Tenth that Dr. Dubois refers to as the black intelligentsia charged with leading the race forward. They shared that they both were despondent, afraid of the future, and the uncertainty of how to begin reconciliatory dialogues among friends who clearly did not share their same political views. In reflecting on this moment, I am reminded that as a country, we have been down this path before. The outcomes of Presidential elections are always filled with anxiety regarding the uncertainty of the unknown. Will the incoming President’s agenda align with what I care about? There is a huge opportunity before us to ignite our civic engagement responsibilities as citizens, Democracies were never intended to be controlled by those at the top. WE the people elect our political representatives and it is up to WE the people to set the agenda. Instead of passively watching the news and lamenting over the opinions among the political pundits, how about holding our own think tank conversations in our living rooms, faith communities, schools and even at the Center for Civil and Human Rights? What are the issues you care about—economic justice, gender equity, environmental protections, LGBT rights, ending the culture of violence against women in our schools, the military and other institutions? The list of critical issues of our times is long and all deserve attention. Today I was fortunate to attend the JuST (Juvenile Sex Trafficking) National Advisory Council meeting sponsored by Shared Hope International. Policy wonks, law enforcement, child welfare workers, advocates and survivors discussed protocols and priorities recommendations for state governments to implement the recently passed Justice for Juvenile Victims Act together for 6 hours. Based on our diverse perspectives and experiences, there were few items discussed that began with a consensus, but through the hard work of listening deeply, questioning for clarification, and the art of compromise, we ended the day with recommendations that far exceeded what any of us individually could have produced. Our way forward is to reignite citizen participation. Gather persons of differing views and life experiences who share a commitment toward addressing an issue. Our continuing to gather and talk in silos with like-minded people is part of the problem, not the solution. Now is our opportunity to test the model of inclusive democracy, where all persons have a seat at the table, and the outcome is the result of our collective voices. As my friend, Rev. Joanna Adams shared with me—Hope has two daughters–anger and courage. Anger at what ought to be and the courage to make what ought to be, come to be. In the spirit of progress, Deborah J. Richardson Executive Vice President
The Center Counts Down to the Vote!
The Center for Civil and Human Rights is celebrating the right to vote by asking our team members why they believe it is so important to vote!
Hawks Announce Plans to Host First-Ever Unity Games Versus Cavaliers
Three days of service and inclusion will culminate with special matchup versus the NBA champions; Atlanta Hawks Foundation will award the Center for Civil and Human Rights and six other deserving Atlanta organizations with financial donations The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club today announced plans to host a unique game experience, celebrating multicultural groups, diverse populations and organizations committed to improving relations amongst different groups, in its first-ever Unity Game on Monday, Oct. 10th as the team takes on the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Members of the Hawks organization will participate in two major events prior to the Unity Game: an all-staff service day (six service projects within the city of Atlanta) and the 46th Atlanta Pride Festival, the largest event of its kind in the Southeast. The concept for Unity Day came from an all-employee internal forum on July 19th, which followed a series of unsettling and alarming events around the nation during the summer. The staff was challenged to think of ways the Hawks organization could unite the city and continue the positive and peaceful conversation taking place in Atlanta. Within the forum, the consistent themes of community service, inclusion and using basketball as a change agent/unifier led to the creation of the event. “Our organization has seen firsthand how a sports team, its staff and every member, can positively affect the morale of a city. We have a brand promise to entertain and unite the city of Atlanta and we think our Unity Game is another great step toward keeping that promise,” Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said. “We are thankful that the Cavaliers share similar values of inclusion and diversity and understand the importance sports can play beyond the court.” Both Hawks and Cavaliers players will take part in specially-produced videos that will air throughout the game explaining what Unity means to them and how the next generation of Atlantans and Clevelanders can positively impact their respective cities. In a special halftime ceremony, National Center for Civil and Human Rights CEO Derreck Kayongo will address the crowd and speak on the topics of unity, inclusion and social harmony. The Hawks will also honor and announce financial donations from the Atlanta Hawks Foundation to the Center and other deserving organizations that are embodying and delivering messages of respect, tolerance and peace through their work. On Friday, Oct. 7th, approximately 300 members of Hawks staff and partners from 92.9 The Game and FOX Sports Southeast will give back to the city, volunteering in service projects with the Atlanta Community Food Bank Community Gardens (http://acfb.org/about/our-programs/community-gardens), CHRIS 180 (www.chriskids.org/home-page), Covenant House (www.covenanthouse.org), Fountain of Hope (http://fohfoodbank.org/), Medshare (http://www.medshare.org/) and United Methodist Children’s Home (http://www.umchildrenshome.org/). The Atlanta Hawks are providing each organization with complimentary ticket vouchers for the special Unity Game. Led by its Diversity and Inclusion Council, the Hawks will once again take part in the 46th Atlanta Pride Festival on Sunday, Oct. 9th. For the first time, the Hawks will build and ride its own custom float to ride through the parade. The two rivals – Hawks (108-56; .659) and Cavaliers (110-54; .671) – have posted the top two records in the Eastern Conference over the past two seasons and have met in the postseason each year. The matchup will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Southeast beginning at 7:30 p.m. and can be heard on the Hawks’ flagship radio station, CBS RADIO’S SportsRadio 92-9 The Game. Tickets for the Unity Game can be purchased at www.hawks.com/unitygame. # TrueToAtlanta # With a bold identity and strong new ownership, the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club and Philips Arena remain committed to making Atlantans proud on the court and off. The 2014-15 Southeast Division Champions, the Hawks have made the postseason in nine consecutive seasons and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2015. Off the court, the organization has built a culture of inclusion, diversity and innovation, all with a touch of Southern Hospitality. It continues into the community where the organization builds bridges through basketball, whether by constructing and refurbishing courts in Atlanta neighborhoods, providing scholarships to our basketball camps, or surprising and delighting our fans with unique Atlanta Hawks experiences. Atlanta Hawks Membership, which includes your seat for every home game for the 2016-17 regular season games, is on sale now at www.hawks.com/membership or by calling 866-715-1500! For more information on the Hawks, log on to www.hawks.com today or follow us on twitter @ATLHawks.
MNI WICONI: An interview with Cannupa Hanska
Author of this post, Christina Dana, is the Visitor Services Assistant at the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Cannupa Hanska Luger describes himself as a multi-disciplinary communicator. After spending an afternoon with him and his mural Every Line is a Song. Each Shape is a Story at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, it would be difficult to call him anything else. As an interviewee, he is above all earnest. His passion and history are reflected in the things he says and the energy with which he says them -whether we’re talking about indigenous identity, art, or politics. Luger has bound all of these elements into an engaging and cohesive voice. Our conversation shared two common threads with Luger’s mural: water and the Earth. The importance of these topics is further emphasized because both the inspiration of Luger’s piece and his shirt read “MNI WICONI,” which is Lakota for “water is life.” Cannupa describes human and tribe geography as collections of freestanding islands on the ocean of the United States. He also tells me that his studio in Santa Fe is an island and his wife a seabird who comes to roost and critique his art. Aptly enough, Luger’s first career aspirations were in oceanography. The Lakota people’s history and creation story speak of them as a river people. Water, Luger reminds me, makes up 70% of what we are. It is the resource we share both as a community and in our physical composition. Every Line is a Song. Each Shape is a Story is a yarn and nail sketch centering on three women encapsulated by a river and its surrounding landscape. When first approached with the opportunity to showcase indigenous stories at the Center, Luger had a different design in mind. However after returning to Standing Rock Reservation (home to both the Lakota people and the highly contested Dakota Access Pipeline) to attend a protest, the immediacy of the pipeline debate and Luger’s own deep-rooted identity as a man of the Lakota demanded this change in composition. With this piece, Luger wants to express the notion that “we are all humans – and this is not our land, we are its people.” Every Line is a Song. Each Shape is a Story portrays three intergenerational women who have inspired Luger’s work. Even though these women come directly from his own life, Luger prefers for them to remain nameless as it helps bolster the connection between them and the viewer: we are all made from water and we all come from the land. “WE ARE ALL HUMANS – AND THIS IS NOT OUR LAND, WE ARE ITS PEOPLE.” Towards the end of our interview, I started to press Luger for any thoughts or wisdom with which to prepare potential viewers and was met with nothing. Whatever you take from it, he says, is sincere, honest, and the true meaning of the piece. Luger allows viewers to finish this piece for him with whatever life experience(s) they bring to the table. Even though he was hesitant to call it generous, I see this as a gift. And the best way to pay that gift back is to engage with the art, the land, and each other. In truth, we are all just water anyway.
Selma Dillard: Women of the March on Washington 1963
During the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington in 2013, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. sent youth to the 2013 March to interview the inspirational activists who participated in the original March on Washington in 1963. As part of our Women’s HERstory Month Blog Series, we will post a video every Friday in March to spotlight the powerful women telling their experiences at the March on Washington. Our first weekly spotlight is dedicated to Selma Dillard. Take a minute to listen to her important story about why she joined the March on Washington in 1963 and the power she felt being a part of the movement. She also gave some invaluable advice to the youth who are looking to make change in the world: “Age is not important.” Watch the video above for the full conversation!
National Center For Civil And Human Rights CEO Talks Refugees
by Myke Johns, WABE “The Center did a fantastic job choosing an African young boy to be the head of it,” Derreck Kayongo chuckles, referring to his recent installation as CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Kayongo, after all, has a lifetime of experience with the subject. At age 10, Kayongo and his family fled the Ugandan Civil War and became political refugees who eventually settled in the United States. He went on to receive a Masters of Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University at age 22, and went on to work with Amnesty International and CARE in the Southeast before founding the Global Soap Project, which recycles and distributes soap in an effort to bring basic hygiene to those who lack access to it around the world. Kayongo sat down with Valerie Jackson to talk about the importance of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, his goals as CEO and his thoughts on serving the refugee population in America. “America is built on people who miss home,” Kayongo says. “They were British, they were German, they were Italian … they all miss home. But now is a time for you to learn to become an American.” This article was originally posted by Myke Johns, WABE 90.1. For the full interview with Valerie Jackson click here.
Honorary Co-Chairs and Leadership for the 2016 Power To Inspire Tribute Dinner
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. announces its Honorary Co-Chairs and Leadership for the 2016 Power To Inspire Tribute Dinner The Center is honored by those who are providing leadership for the 2nd annual event which honors civil and human rights icons who work tirelessly for access and justice for all. ATLANTA – Feb. 3 2016 – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. is proud to announce its leadership for the 2nd Annual Power to Inspire Tribute Dinner on May 5th in Atlanta on Pemberton Place. Derreck Kayongo, CEO, states “The mission of the Center for Civil and Human Rights is to challenge, inspire and empower people from all walks of life to take the protection of everyone’s human rights personally. Our annual event is the opportunity to thank those whose lives are a testament to these principles, as well as to, showcase their impactful work. We thank our dinner leadership for their commitment to this mission and The Center.” The Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2016 event are Mike Donnelly, Regional President, Atlanta Wells Fargo & Company and entrepreneurs Hank and Yvonne Thomas, Co-Owners of Victoria Hospitality, LLC. “Wells Fargo was an early supporter of The Center with a $ 1million gift,” states Mike Donnelly, “and we continue to support the work of The Center because it is a vital part of not only our nation’s history but its future.” Hank and Yvonne Thomas’ lives imbue the mission of The Center. Their contributions are indelibly marked on the face of history while their philanthropy is well known to historic black colleges and universities and many other charitable causes. Yvonne Thomas was the first African-American to graduate with a four year Business degree from the University of South Carolina; a campus on which she was once accosted in earlier years. Hank Thomas was one of the original Freedom Riders and is the only living survivor of the Klan’s blazing bus attack that became a media frenzy during the group’s stop in Anniston, Alabama in the segregated sixties. The two have spent the last thirty years as successful entrepreneurs who owned McDonald’s, Burger King, and Marriott franchises in the Atlanta, Macon and Jacksonville, North Carolina. “Yvonne and I have always seen our entrepreneurship as an opportunity to be role models for young people, as well as, to have the resources to support institutions who focus on positive youth development.” “The Center is an amazing gift to our community and we are honored to do all that we can to ensure its sustainability,” affirms Yvonne Thomas. Additional leadership for the Tribute Dinner includes: Dinner Co-Chairs–Juanita and Greg Baranco, Ingrid Saunders Jones, Bari and Russell Love, Cyril Turner and Sherrie-Ann Straughn, MD. Host Committee Co-Chairs–Amol Naik, Beth and Gregg Paradies, Sunny Park, and Jerome and Stephanie Russell. Proceeds from the dinner will underwrite admissions for students attending Title 1 schools throughout the state. “By intervening in the lives of young people as they are developing their values, we are assured the next generations will embrace inclusion and justice,” Kayongo concludes. Sponsorship Packages are available. Please contact Beth Haynes, [email protected] ### About the Center for Civil and Human Rights The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta is an engaging cultural attraction that connects The American Civil Rights Movement to today’s Global Human Rights Movements. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. Join the conversation on civil and human rights on Twitter @Ctr4CHR and Facebook. About Wells-Fargo Headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo & Company provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,700 locations, approximately 13,000 ATMs, the internet and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. ###