2024 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism
Is Awarded to
18by Vote
The 2024 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism has been awarded to 18by Vote. One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Foundation to honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to fight fascism under the banner of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.
18by Vote creates sustainable civic leadership among young people who have been historically excluded from positions of leadership and power. Founded in response to low youth voter turnout in the 2016 general election, they have since activated hundreds of thousands of young people across the country to engage civically.
2023 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism
Is Awarded to
Indigenous Women Rising
Fifty years after Roe v. Wade, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) announces that the 2023 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism will go to Indigenous Women Rising (IWR). One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Foundation to honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to fight fascism under the banner of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.
“We are privileged to have Indigenous Women Rising as the recipient of this year’s ALBA/Puffin Human Rights Award,” said Jack Mayerhofer, chair of ALBA’s Human Rights Committee. “IWR is tirelessly advocating and working for reproductive justice for those whose human rights have been unacceptably curtailed both before and since the reprehensible June 2022 decision. Due to centuries of systemic and deep-seated racism, Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada have for too long been denied the health care and justice they deserve, and this is only being made worse by Dobbs v. Jackson. We are honored to partner with an organization that so boldly combats this racism and fights for the healthcare and reproductive rights of Indigenous communities.”
ALBA Statement on Abortion Rights
In response to today’s ruling The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) reaffirms that it stands with the majority of Americans who support ensuring access to safe and legal abortion for all. Intrusion into an individual’s reproductive life poses a direct threat to economic and social justice, with a particularly devastating impact on women of color and low-income families. ALBA opposes any and all attacks on the fundamental rights established 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade. Keep abortion safe and legal! – ALBA Board of Governors
Ways to get organized and mobilized, from New York Magazine: Click Here
2022 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism
Is Awarded to
On January 6, 2022, the one-year anniversary of the horrific assault on our nation’s capital, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) announced that the 2022 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism would be awarded to Life After Hate (LAH). One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Foundation to honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to fight fascism under the banner of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. The award ceremony took place at a live online gala on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Due to the alarming rise of fascism in America, as witnessed one year ago in Washington, ALBA and The Puffin Foundation renew their commitment to combating far-right extremism. LAH is an organization whose mission is helping people leave the violent far-right to connect with humanity and lead compassionate lives. Their vision is a world that allows people to change and contribute to a society without violence. The work of LAH will help ensure that the horrendous events of January 6 are never repeated.
Life After Hate is a leader in the violence intervention community and the first nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to helping individuals disengage from violent far-right hate groups and hateful online spaces. Since its founding in 2011, LAH has expanded its services to include family members of individuals who are involved with or are disengaging from the violent far-right.
A central part of the LAH mission is their innovative approach to interventions. A multidisciplinary team model pairs former violent extremists and mental health practitioners to help individuals leave hate and violence frameworks and to set and manage their goals to restore their lives.
“The work and message of Life After Hate has never been more valuable and more needed. A daily diet of media-infused disinformation touted by self-absorbed politicians spewing far-right rhetoric has led to more and more Americans turning to violence and hate groups. The success of Life After Hate’s outreach, research, and interventions shows that we can overcome this hate and have people reconnect with humanity and lead compassionate lives.” said Neal Rosenstein, President of The Puffin Foundation
ALBA Statement on Invasion of Ukraine
The ALBA Board of Governors issued the following statement regarding the horrific events unfolding in Ukraine:
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) condemns the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. The resulting destruction, chaos, and loss of life is the sole responsibility of President Vladimir Putin, who has perverted the concept of anti-fascism to justify imperialism and these despicable violations of human rights. ALBA stands in complete solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they suffer these unprovoked and unjustified attacks.