John,
We’ve got some exciting news to share --
on behalf of Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, our co-founder and Executive Director Patrisse Cullors recently accepted the 2020 Olof Palme Prize from the Olof Palme Memorial Foundation.
The Olof Palme Prize, named after the former prime minister of Sweden, is for outstanding achievement in any of the areas of anti-racism, human rights, international understanding, peace, and common security.
Throughout his career, Palme was a critic of authoritarian and imperialist regimes including the U.S. Just days before he was assassinated, Palme gave the speech “Swedish People’s Parliament against Apartheid” where he said, “Apartheid cannot be reformed, it has to be abolished.” It is Palme’s legacy of fighting for self-determination that connects to our work for Black liberation.
Our movement is about abolishing systems and institutions that do not affirm Black life. When we focus on abolition, we can then start to reimagine what a better future looks like. In order to thrive and heal we must first abolish the systems that allow violence against our communities.
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation is humbled to accept this award, and we are eternally grateful for the growing community across the world that has made our movement what it is today. This award is for every single one of us --
this is something you should be extremely proud of, John.
Watch the video of Patrisse accepting the award.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
