Jeanette Vizguerra, an immigration advocate being held in an Aurora, Colorado, detention facility, has been named a winner of an annual human rights award by a nonprofit arrange within the late Robert F. Kennedy’s reminiscence.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights introduced final week that the activist will likely be a recipient of its forty second annual Human Rights Award alongside Maine Gov. Janet Mills and former U.S. Division of Justice pardon lawyer Elizabeth Oyer.
Nevertheless, barring any adjustments to her U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, Vizguerra will likely be unable to attend the ceremony in Washington, D.C., on June 5. She was taken into federal custody on March 17 and has since fought ICE’s declare of a reinstated elimination order in courtroom on the premise that her First Modification rights have been allegedly violated.
“Just lately, whereas detained in a detention heart, I obtained the information that I had obtained this human rights award,” Vizguerra mentioned in a information launch issued Thursday. “I work independently, utilizing my very own sources. With these sources, though restricted, I imagine I’ve made a distinction within the motion for social justice.”
Vizguerra’s lawyer, Laura Lichter, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is a nonpartisan group named after the previous senator who served as U.S. lawyer normal throughout his brother’s presidency and was assassinated in 1968 whereas he ran for the Democratic nomination for president.
The group is led by Kerry Kennedy, his daughter, who can also be a human rights activist. She is the sister of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Well being and Human Providers secretary in President Donald Trump’s administration, who has ignited controversy over his vaccine skepticism and extra.
Her nonprofit described the RFK Human Rights Award as an honor bestowed upon recipients who try to additional social justice in nonviolent methods. It features a money prize and extra help from the group.
“Because the daughter of our former lawyer normal, I do know firsthand the need of defending and preserving our democracy,” Kerry Kennedy mentioned in a press release. “From taking a stand in opposition to illegal govt orders and bolstering the ethical power of the Division of Justice to advocating for weak immigrants, these girls have chosen to face up for his or her beliefs throughout a time when it’s more and more troublesome to take action.”
Vizguerra first crossed the U.S. southern border from Mexico illegally in 1997, and she or he gained nationwide consideration for her advocacy after sheltering in two Denver church buildings to keep away from deportation throughout Trump’s first time period. She was named one in every of Time journal’s 100 most influential individuals on the planet in 2017.
“The federal government desires to silence my voice, however I’ll proceed to sow riot till I reap freedom,” Vizguerra mentioned. “This award isn’t just for me however for each one that has been concerned in my life — particularly my kids and my immigrant neighborhood. I hope our voices are by no means silenced.”
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