550+ Academics Stand with Angela Davis, call on Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to re-issue human rights award

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2019
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | [email protected] | 929-290-0317
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Dr. Judith Butler: “Angela Davis has been an invaluable ally to Jews seeking justice in the Middle East”

(New York City, NY) January 14, 2019: Over 550 academics from across the U.S have signed onto the JVP Academic Letter in Support of Angela Davis, (see below), condemning the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for cancelling the Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award intended for Professor Davis.

Signatories to the JVP Academic Advisory Council letter include Professors Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler, Bettina Aptheker, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Robin D. G. Kelley, Kim Tallbear, Joanne Barker and Julie Livingston, among others.

The Academic Advisory Council of Jewish Voice for Peace issued the letter last week, stating: “We share Professor Davis’ visionary commitment to the ‘indivisibility of justice,’ and believe we are all responsible for pursuing social justice for all human beings, without exception—which includes pursuing social justice for Palestinians.”

“Angela Davis has been an invaluable ally to Jews seeking justice in the Middle East. Who else stands for the unity of this struggle to defeat the systemic indignities of the world? She illuminates the future for those who no longer see the light. Anyone who opposes her opposes justice itself. Anyone who casts doubt on the integrity of her principles and actions fears justice and truth.” – Judith Butler, Maxine Elliot Professor in the Department of Comparative Literature and the Program of Critical Theory at the University of California, Berkeley and member of the JVP Academic Advisory Council

Jewish Voice for Peace also launched a general petition in support of Angela Davis last week, which has garnered over 16,500 signatures.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute announced last week it was cancelling the Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award intended for Professor Angela Davis, following criticisms of Professor Davis’ support for Palestinian human rights. The decision was likely premised on the misinformed view that to advocate for Palestinian human rights is offensive to the Jewish community.

“Having known Angela Davis all of my life, and treasuring her remarkable spirit and indefatigable energy in solidarity with so many peoples suffering on our planet, the actions of the BCRI Board were incomprehensible to me. Angela remains the highly esteemed daughter of Birmingham, and a profoundly appropriate recipient of the Fred Shuttlesworth Award. [I urge the BCRI Board to] rescind and restore, heal and persevere in joyful reconciliation.” – Bettina Aptheker, Distinguished Professor, Presidential Co-Chair for Feminist Critical Race & Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz

“Rescinding a human rights award to Angela Davis because of her support for Palestinian human rights is unethical and insulting. Professor Davis’ credentials as an activist and scholar are worthy of the highest respect, and her advocacy for Palestinian rights is in no way disrespectful to Jewish people. Over 350 academics, many of whom are scholars of Jewish studies or Jewish themselves, are proud to defend Angela Davis.” – Tallie Ben Daniel, Research and Education Manager, Jewish Voice for Peace

JVP Academic Letter in Support of Angela Davis

Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 200,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.