May 29, 2006

NEW YORK – Rev. John Carmichael of the Church of Scientology and Imam Abdul Baqui Hamed (host of the popular "Al Islam in America" radio show) were among the New York human rights advocates on Capitol Hill last week to honor four individuals who have made a real difference to human rights at a grassroots level.

"We are inspired by the people we saw honored, and we intend to get people from New York recognized in the future," said Rev. Carmichael, who coordinates the New York City branch of Youth for Human Rights.

The awards, presented by actresses Anne Archer and Jenna Elfman, were sponsored by a coalition including the Church of Scientology Human Rights Department and Youth for Human Rights International. It brought dignitaries and advocates – from legislators to religious leaders and teenager organizers – from 20 states, in support of the cause, and those working for it.

The winners included Judith Lahai-Momoh, a public health activist from Sierra Leone, founded a Texas group, "Saving Lives Through Alternative Options," which for 15 years has helped the "most despised" in our country – poor immigrants with AIDS – protect their rights as human beings. Lai Lai is a young pro-rights rapper whose eloquence has enabled her message to reach millions through the award winning music video "UNITED," now also viewable at the Youth for Human Rights website (http://www.YouthForHumanRights.org/), translated into 14 languages.

Another, UCLA student Vanessa Alfaro, piloted and implemented a human rights education program at her own school and in schools throughout her area, who in turn helped groups in African countries like Liberia and Uganda. And Tamara Batalha, letting parents know they too have rights in the face of unwanted interference, helped Miami parents whose children had been mislabeled "learning disabled," get those children off psychiatric drugs and succeeding at study. Her center uses the breakthrough study method of humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard to handle the actual cause of the problems.

The New York/New Jersey branch of Youth for Human Rights has been running its own projects to educate youth and adults on human rights, and have decided to make the Human Rights Heroes campaign their own.

Said Carmichael: "There are people – young people and adults – in this area who should be recognized for what they are doing to inform people of their human rights, and help protect or restore them. Please see the Youth for Human Rights International website (http://www.YouthForHumanRights.org/) for contest details, and if you know someone who you think may qualify, let us know via email at JohnKCar@aol.com."

Church of Scientology/New York