FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Annie Stone, 703-217-1169 [email protected]
Merissa Blum, 215-370-0387 [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM FIGHTERS TO RECEIVE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER’S 2021 LIBERTY MEDAL
National Constitution Center to present annual award to Jimmy Lai and Loujain al-Hathloul on September 21, 2021
Philadelphia, PA (July 20, 2021) –The National Constitution Center announced today that it will award its 33rd annual Liberty Medal to two freedom fighters, Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, for their courage and conviction in exercising the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, nonviolent resistance, and peaceful dissent. The National Constitution Center will honor the recipients in a ceremony at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia the evening of September 21, 2021.The event will be streamed live at constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal.
Jimmy Lai is one of the most prominent supporters of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. His media company, Next Digital, founded Apple Daily, a widely-read tabloid in Hong Kong frequently critical of Hong Kong and the Chinese Communist Party. The paper was forced to close in June 2021 following a raid by Hong Kong police. Lai’s arrest in August 2020 on charges of violating Hong Kong’s new national security law, and subsequent trial and sentencing, arose out of 2019 pro-democracy protests.
Loujain al-Hathloul, one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights activists, was held for three years in a Saudi prison for leading the campaign to legalize driving for women in Saudi Arabia. She was detained in May 2018 along with several other female activists, just weeks before the Saudi government lifted the ban. A judge sentenced her to five years and eight months in prison under a broad counterterrorism law; she was released early, in February 2021, but remains under many restrictions. She has appealed her conviction.
“It’s so meaningful for the National Constitution Center to honor Jimmy Lai and Loujain al-Hathloul with the 2021 Liberty Medal,” said Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “Both are freedom fighters and heroes of liberty who have been imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights of free speech, nonviolent resistance, and peaceful dissent. Both richly deserve the Liberty Medal, which honors ‘men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe.’”
The Liberty Medal, established in 1988 and hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006, recognizes individuals who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. Recent recipients have included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her efforts to advance liberty and equality for all, U.S. Senator John McCain for his lifetime of sacrifice and service, U.S. Representative John Lewis for his civil rights legacy, Malala Yousafzai for her work on behalf of young women, and many other distinguished honorees.
The recipients will split the $100,000 prize, sponsored by Ira Lubert and Pamela Estadt, who have supported the award for more than a decade. The Liberty Medal is made possible thanks to support from corporations, foundations, and individuals with proceeds going to further the work of the National Constitution Center. Sponsorships and individual tickets to the Liberty Medal Ceremony and Dinner Reception will be available for purchase. Inquiries about supporting the event should be directed to [email protected].
A limited number of complimentary tickets to the Liberty Medal Ceremony will be available to Members of the National Constitution Center and to the general public. Details will become available closer to event. For further information, please visit constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal.
PLEASE NOTE: Credentials are required for press entry to this event. To complete an application, visit constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal/media-info.
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About the Liberty Medal
The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Given annually, the medal honors men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. A full list of all past recipients is available here: constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal/recipients.
About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling our congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
