Human Rights activist Dr. Angela Davis has dedicated her entire life for the liberation of people of color through protests and education. This past Friday Ms. Davis was the proud recipient of a human rights award that was given to her by Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
The group, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, first announced last fall that Professor Davis would receive the award, but its board walked the decision back on Jan. 4 amid criticism over her support for a boycott of Israel. For their part, the group received criticism from many on social media and there was even a protest in Birmingham, Alabama to have her award reinstated.
Professor Davis has been recognized for her scholarship and activism around feminism and against mass incarceration.
Dr. Davis too, was fighting for her life. She has been a leading advocate for prison reform, a position informed by her own experience as a prisoner and a fugitive on the FBI’s top 10 wanted list more than 40 years ago. Once caught, she faced the death penalty in California.
After being acquitted on all charges, she spent her life fighting to change the criminal justice system.
In the video below Angela Davis discusses why she believe that the prison system should be abolished.
