DALLAS: Texas State House Representative Lon Burnam has said that Dallas Peace Center is playing an important role in struggle for upholding Civil Rights, and fundamental rights of people living in North Texas.
He was addressing a gathering held in connection with the 27th Annual Award ceremony of Dallas Peace Center at a local hotel in Dallas.
“Human liberty is an essential for a healthy society and it is up to us as how we can preserve and protect our rights.”
Thanking the attendees for coming to the event, he said that your attendance despite bad weather is a proof that people of North Texas love to be participant in this struggle.
While paying tributes to South African Ex. President and a legend Nelson Mandela, on the day of his demise, Lon Burnum said that Mandela's legacy would live in people's minds and hearts who love peace and justice for their fellow humans.
Earlier, Dallas Peace Center's executive director Kelley Obazee, activist Hadi Jawwad, Southern Methodist University's Embery Human Rights Department's Director, Professor Rick Halperin, John Fullinwider, Jose Angel Gutierrez, Rev Holsey Hickman, Sara Mokuria, and Rev. Charles Stovall also addressed the gathering.
Lyn Ellis and Len Ellis Akugbe Obazee sang a special song on humanity on the occasion. Four annual awards were given to individuals and organizations on this occasion, in which "Peacemaker of the Year" award was given to Leslie Harris, "Lifetime Achievement Award" was given to Eva McMillan, "Media Person of the Year" award was given to Diane Solis, and "Organization of the Year" award was given to "Dallas Residents at Risk" which was received by E D Meyer.
The recipient of Peacemaker of the year award, Ms. Leslie Harris while addressing the gathering said that she is happy that she is affiliated with a group which works for human rights, as this work has changed her life.
The ninety-two years old recipient of lifetime achievement award Ms. Eva McMillan while addressing the gathering said that she has been working for civil rights since she was twenty years of age. She said that she has played an important role in highlighting the importance of voting to Dallas residents.
The media person of the year awardee Diane Solis said that she is glad that she was able to use her pen to uncover the violations of civil and human rights of Dallas residents. She said that among her stories in newspaper, the story of a twelve years old child, killed by local police some forty years ago for which the Dallas Mayor finally came out and apologized is something she is proud of.
The representative from organization of the year awardee while describing his group’s work said that his group has worked by building a coalition with 190 organizations to address the air pollution issues in Dallas.
A number of civic, social and community groups were represented at the ceremony including Muslim Community Center for Human Services, Muslim Democratic Caucus, CAIR, and South Asia Democracy Watch. Dr. Basheer Ahmad, Aftab Siddiqui, Syed Fayyaz Hassan, Raja Zahid Khanzada, Amina Rub, Amir Makhani were also among attendees.
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