Rep. John Lewis Keynotes As Four Youth Activist Groups Awarded RFK Human Rights Award

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights today announced that the organization will present four youth activist groups with the internationally-recognized Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award on June 5, 2018 at The Kennedy Caucus Room on Capitol Hill.

This year Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights founder Ethel Kennedy will present the award to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas student movement March for Our Lives which fights for gun control legislation; immigrant youth network United We Dream; Color of Change, which engages decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human dialog on race; and community organizers The International Indigenous Youth Council, who advocate for the environmental conservation issues, including preservation of the water supply.

"It's an inspiration to see how vocal, engaged, and committed today's youth are in their fight against injustice, and our 2018 Human Rights Award honorees reflect that passion for social justice," said Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights President Kerry Kennedy. "The young leaders from the March for Our Lives, United We Dream, Color of Change, and The International Indigenous Youth Council carry on my father's legacy of advocating a more just and peaceful world."

The 2018 ceremony marks the 50th Anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Robert F. Kennedy's historic run for the White House. Congressman John Lewis will honor our youth activist laureates with a keynote speech that connects the historic issues Kennedy campaigned for with the ongoing struggle to create a more just and peaceful world for this generation of young people.

Since its inception, the Human Rights Award has honored activists from 30 countries. We forge strategic partnerships with laureates whose work advances human rights causes all over the world. In combining resources and collaborating on strategy, our laureates amplify their transformative work to a worldwide audience.

About Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has advocated for a more just and peaceful world since 1968. We work alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations. Whether in the United States or abroad, our programs have pursued justice through strategic litigation on key human rights issues, educated millions of children in human rights advocacy and fostered a social good approach to business and investment.

About March for Our Lives

March For Our Lives is a non-profit organization created by the current students and alumni of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Rising from the ashes of tragedy, these young adults have sparked a fire in the hearts of every generation in America - specifically the youth, leading the next generation into a new age of political awareness and involvement. The purpose of the group is to fight for common sense gun reform and to communicate the need for a large, educated voter force. With nonpartisan messaging, this organization strives to pass legislation that will safeguard every citizen of our country. These activists will continue to use their platform to make sure each politician has a public stance on this issue leading into the 2018 midterm elections. Victims of all types of gun violence have been unheard for far too long, and March For Our Lives will assure that their stories are spread and remembered. For more information, visit www.marchforourlives.com

About United We Dream

United We Dream (UWD) is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, a powerful network made up of over 400,000 members and 48 affiliate organizations across 26 states. UWD's vision is to build a multi-racial, multi-ethnic movement of young people who organize and advocate at the local and national levels for the dignity and justice of immigrants and communities of color in the United States. The organization stands against sexism, misogyny and male-centered leadership while uplifting womxn leaders and the leadership of LGBTQ people, and works to make our spaces accessible to people of all abilities and seek to stand in solidarity and partnership with all who share our values. For more information, visit: https://unitedwedream.org/

About Color of Change

Color Of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization. As a national online force driven by over one million members, Color of Change moves decision makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. The organization empowers our members to take action on crucial issues-from criminal justice to media representations to the social safety net and voter freedom-as a means of building the power necessary to transform the written and unwritten rules of society. Color of Change's work - both rapid response and long-term campaigns for change - amplifies the voices of Black folks and our allies, building power and delivering meaningful wins that create consequences for racial injustice and build momentum for implementing solutions that move Black people and all people forward. For more information, visit: www.colorofchange.org/.

About The International Indigenous Youth Council

The International Indigenous Youth Council (IIYC) is an organization that was started and led by womxn and two-spirit peoples during the Standing Rock Indigenous Uprising of 2016, while peacefully protecting the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The organization has extended its reach by establishing chapters across Turtle Island, including Chicago, Denver, Texas (Yanaguana Chapter), New Mexico, and South Dakota. IIYC is rooted in the protection of the elements and has been brought together and continues to be guided by the prayer for the water. IIYC aspires to inspire young individuals to build bridges of solidarity and become leaders of their communities. For more information, visit: https://indigenousyouth.org/.