Alabama civil rights institute rescinds Angela Davis honor

January 7, 2019

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama is getting withering criticism on social media after rescinding its decision to honor political activist and scholar Angela Davis.

Davis is a Birmingham native who has spent decades fighting for civil rights. She was an active member of the Black Panther Party, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and Communist Party USA. She’s also an outspoken supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

BCRI President and CEO Andrea Taylor said in October that the Institute was “thrilled to bestow this honor” on Davis who she described as “one of the most globally recognized champions of human rights, giving voice to those who are powerless to speak.”

But the institute announced Saturday that in late December, “supporters and other concerned individuals and organizations, both inside and outside of our local community, began to make requests that we reconsider our decision.”

“Upon closer examination of Davis’ statements and public record, we concluded that she unfortunately does not meet all of the criteria” for the Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award.

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