ALBA’s Live Online Celebration Draws Thousands Worldwide
Defying the devastating Covid-19 crisis, this past May 17 ALBA’s annual reunion and ALBA/Puffin Award ceremony—celebrated fully online (Facebook | YouTube)—brought together viewers from around the world. Hosted by ALBA’s María Hernández-Ojeda and Sebastiaan Faber, the celebration featured speeches by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Neal Rosenstein, ALBA’s executive director Mark Wallem, and ALBA governors Kate Doyle, Peter Carroll, and Tony Geist. The ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism was presented to No More Deaths, the Arizona-based organization that for the past 16 years has worked to save the lives of migrants crossing the desert and to achieve immigration reform. Volunteer Madeline Huse shared her experience, and Geena Jackson accepted the award on behalf of No More Deaths. The celebration also featured stirring musical performances by Sarah Lee Guthrie, who played two of her grandfather’s songs, “Jarama Valley” and “Deportee,” Bruce Barthol, Velina Brown, and Luis and Pedro Pastor, the father-son singer/songwriter team from Madrid. For a video of the entire event, visit Facebook, ALBA’s new website at www.alba-valb.org, or go directly to the video at ALBA’s YouTube channel.
