President Clinton, Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Others Join RFK Center to Support Human Rights Worldwide

It's an honor to spread the word that between now and May 17, more than one hundred leaders in politics, media, Hollywood, and sports are teaming up as part of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights' fifth annual online auction to support human rights worldwide.

I'm touched by the outpouring of generosity we've received from our friends and supporters, especially during a year when so much of our work's impact has come into clear, personal focus.

A little over a month ago, my 14-year-old daughter Michaela and I were en route to Easter Sunday mass in Acapulco when we were threatened and detained by eight soldiers in battle fatigues brandishing automatic weapons. We were in Mexico visiting the RFK Center's 2010 Human Rights Laureate, Abel Berrera from Tlachinollan Human Rights Centre, who has dedicated his career to protecting indigenous communities from military abuses like this and worse.

Our ordeal was harrowing, but unlike so many of the people Abel represents, we were safely freed 30 minutes later. In the weeks since, that raid has remained a reminder of why our support for defenders like Abel and his colleagues is so important.

Also last month, we welcomed our 2006 and 2011 Laureates to the United States to drum up support for the human rights battles they're fighting at home. Our 2006 Laureate, Aminatou Haidar, met with government agencies and United Nations in an effort to bring human rights protections to the Western Sahara, a region that has been home to decades of violent persecution against the Sahrawi people. And Frank Mugisha, our newest Laureate, met with Congress offices, faith leaders, and journalists to spread awareness about a bill pending in the Ugandan Parliament that would make homosexuality punishable with the death penalty.

People like Abel, Aminatou, and Frank are our world's true heroes, stars in the field of moral courage. This is the work I think of when donations and bids come in during our auctions each year. We can continue to support these courageous defenders in part because world leaders, celebrities, athletes, and musicians believe in our work and are willing to contribute their time to an auction package -- and because individuals around the country join us by bidding on these experiences.

The auction is a rare opportunity to bid on unforgettable personal experiences while lending your support to the RFK Center's core programs. This year's unique packages include:
• Meet President Clinton at a VIP reception following an upcoming speech
• Greet the cast of AMC's Mad Men in Los Angeles
• Play tennis with John McEnroe at Randall's Island in New York City
• Walk the red carpet for Meryl Streep's upcoming film Great Hope Springs
• Meet Alec Baldwin on the set of NBC's 30 Rock
• Be part of Bravo's Top Chef famous Restaurant Wars episode
• Witness President Obama accept the nomination at the DNC in September

Funds raised by the auction will help realize Robert Kennedy's dream of a more just and peaceful world.

Please visit www.rfkcenter.org to bid on more than 100 experiences, including walk-on roles in Hollywood movies, set visits, private lunches, sporting events, and much more.

 

Comments

[Coral Gunter]

06:56 PM on 05/16/2012

Dear Alec Baldwin,
Congratulations on the Recogniton you have just received for your humanitarian efforts and to all the rest who were unmentioned above. People are saying that I sound like I'm in love with you? Well, I don't know but to me: you are my favorite comedic personality OF ALL TIME.
love,
coral sabine gunter aka Tom

[Coral Gunter]

06:53 PM on 05/16/2012

Dear Ms. Streep: Okay just so I know that I have stated this officially and on-the-record, I would like to share my personal opinion about what happened with the Cuban Missle Crisis and the Bay of Pigs invasion during the JFK era. I would like to equate it or draw an ANALOGY- it's my daughter who's always doing the parables- to playing hearts or Boo Ray in cards where every suit must be played out until a new suit is drawn and in imposing the Trade Embargo, I personally feel as though both Robbie and John showed the greatest display of character and tenancity and good sound judgment than John F. Kennedy had shown during his entire career. It was only that when the Bay of Pigs came about it was because NO ONE had antipated that the Cubans even held this card, it could not have been predicted and it was so out there that - they must have won the entire hand. However, to not give those boys praise where praise is highly due them is - grave error and our misfortune in my humble opinion. I loved you in Lions for Lambs, by the way. Welcome to the Team. I understood that you made it into the Universe's Book of Life for your humanitarian efforts- with great love and may God Bless you! keep it up, kid. Tom F%$#@@%*?
Cruise (aka Deca)