Latest news with #FreedomAward
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's oldest WW2 veteran awarded Freedom of Erewash
The UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran has been awarded the Freedom of Rose, who is also the UK's oldest man aged 110, was honoured by Erewash's youngest ever mayor, 25-year-old Harry Atkinson, at a ceremony at his care home in Ilkeston, said it was a "privilege" to present the award to the the award, Mr Rose said it was "great" and "very nice to see all the people" at the small event. "I want to say thank you very much for coming to see me," he said."I didn't do anything that anybody else wouldn't have done." His son, David Rose, said he was proud of his dad, adding: "Bearing in mind what he's been through, it's quite something, and he's still here to tell the tale."You start telling [his] story and you get a lump in your throat. All I can say is I'm extremely proud of the man."Thank you to the council, greatly appreciated, and he deserves also praised the work of the British Legion for supporting veterans like his father. Paul Scott, John Sewell and Paul Jarvis from the Ilkeston and Long Eaton branches of the Legion attended the Atkinson said veterans like Donald "need recognising". "We've had a generation of people that served in WW2," he said. "Some gave the ultimate sacrifice. "This is in recognition of not just Donald but to them as well. They allowed us the freedoms that we have today."If anything, it's a shame that it's taken us this long. 110 is a bit too long I think!" The leader of the council James Dawson said it was a unanimous decision of the authority to award Donald the freedom of the borough."It's the highest honour that any local authority can bestow," he said."It is in recognition of Donald and his service, but also [a] special things in this 80th year of VE day and VJ day."People who took part, people like Donald, we have to treasure the time we have with them."Mr Rose was born in Westcott in Surrey on 24 December joined the Queen's Royal Regiment at the age of 25 and went on to train as a served in North Africa and Europe and puts his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time as a Desert Rose, who turned 110 last December, enjoyed a wartime-themed party at the care home where he lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, for VE day anniversary celebrations earlier this month.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
With American education under threat, we have to remember where we've been
On the heels of a historic anniversary, our country is reminded of how far we've come, and how much work remains, through the lens of education. May 17th marked 71 years since the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision affirmed that education must be available and equitable to all. Yet the Department of Justice's recent removal of 1960s era safeguards to monitor school desegregation in Louisiana, and potentially other southern states, threatens the spirit of that landmark ruling. Further, education is facing other serious challenges across our country, at underfunded public schools and well-endowed colleges and universities alike. One of the greatest challenges is an attack on the very foundation of education via the ongoing threats to free thought and critical inquiry. Without these essential tenets, we weaken our collective ability to reach our full potential as individuals and as community. We run the risk of misremembering the past, not understanding our present and moving into the future without clear purpose or direction. More: Tennessee sees surge in books banned in public schools. Here's which ones and why Elementary and secondary education are at the heart of this struggle. This is where students learn about the trials and tribulations of our country—and where they learn to question, empathize and think critically, so that they can become engaged citizens as adults. When these opportunities are minimized for young people, we are all lessened. Higher education is not immune. Universities—traditionally places for open dialogue and rigorous debate—are under increasing pressure to curtail discussions on diversity and inclusion. Professors and students who challenge conventional perspectives face growing resistance. And even our most prestigious institutions are being pushed toward a simplified version of education that hesitates to confront uncomfortable truths. This moment demands reflection on who we aspire to be in the future, as well as a collective resistance to return to where we've been in the past. It's about preserving the American tradition of free inquiry and robust debate. After all, a healthy democracy relies on citizens who can think independently, engage respectfully with different viewpoints and hold leaders—and each other—accountable. Institutions like the National Civil Rights Museum play a vital role in maintaining this spirit. The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival, for example, provides children with access to important books by established and emerging authors, including many whose works are being banned elsewhere. Opinion: Tennessee can teach American exceptionalism and also end its book ban frenzy A museum Freedom Award honoree, Ruby Bridges is a civil rights activist who was the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960, when she was just six years old. Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954, the same year the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision ordering the integration of public schools. The Festival, named in her honor, is a commitment to ensuring future generations understand the full story of our nation's struggles and achievements. History shows us that when education is constrained, societies become more vulnerable to division and authoritarianism. When curiosity and empathy are discouraged, the foundations of community and democracy weaken. Protecting education is a shared responsibility. It means ensuring that our schools and universities remain places of truth, inquiry and understanding. It means supporting teachers, empowering students and encouraging leaders to champion open dialogue rather than fear. Freedom starts with an educated mind. By investing in honest education, we invest in a stronger, more resilient America. The stakes are high. Together, we must choose a path of hope, unity and thoughtful engagement. Dr. Russ Wigginton is the president of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Education is under attack in the US. We can't forget history. | Opinion
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Crimean Tatar activist Mustafayev, illegally imprisoned in Russia, receives international human rights award
Crimean Tatar and Kremlin political prisoner Server Mustafayev has received an award from Freedom House, an international human rights organisation. Mustafayev was previously illegally sentenced in Russia to 14 years in prison. Source: Freedom House website Details: The Freedom Award website announced that Mustafayev would receive the prize for his contribution to human rights and democracy. Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, received the Alfred Moses Liberty Award on behalf of Server Mustafayev. Quote from Markarova: "It was a great honour for me to receive this award on his behalf and to remind everyone about Server and all our other hostages and Ukrainians illegally detained by Russia [...] This recognition is an important reminder of the struggle of Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people against the brutal repression by the Russian Federation. The Kremlin's crimes against the Crimean Tatars and the genocidal war against Ukraine are a continuation of the unpunished hateful policy of the evil empire, the deportations of 1944 and all other crimes against Ukrainians." Details: Freedom House is an international human rights organisation founded in 1941 to unite politicians in the fight against Nazi Germany. The organisation's mission is to promote and defend freedom around the world and to support democracy, particularly activists and human rights defenders who fight for these values. Every year, Freedom House honours individuals and groups for their significant contributions to the advancement of human rights and democracy. Previous recipients include the spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama, former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. For reference: Server Mustafayev is a Crimean Tatar who reported on human rights violations under Russian occupation as coordinator of the Crimean Solidarity association of relatives of political prisoners, lawyers and activists. He also spoke out in defence of victims of political repression. In May 2018, the Russians arrested Mustafayev on charges of supposedly participating in the Hizb ut Tahrir organisation, which is banned in Russia. Its representatives say their mission is to unite all Muslim countries in an Islamic caliphate. Meanwhile, members of the organisation reject terrorist methods and claim to be persecuted in Russia and occupied Crimea. Later, Mustafayev and other detainees in the case were illegally transferred to the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He repeatedly complained about violations of his rights in a Russian pre-trial detention centre, in particular saying that he was denied medical care when he was ill, starved and restricted from taking walks in the fresh air. In September 2020, they were sentenced for alleged participation in terrorist activities. Server Mustafayev received 14 years in prison. At the time, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Russian court's decision unlawful and expressed its strong protest. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
