TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Sunday December 4th, after releasing nine doves of peace, Youth for Human Rights led 175 people from twenty organizations in The Stand Up For Human Rights Walk, starting at the Church of Scientology Tampa’s Ybor Square courtyard and through Ybor City marking the 68th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad021a68-3c7f-4aae-9cb1-3eab4bb51c66
Gracia Bennish, President of YHR’s parent organization United for Human Rights was the MC for the event. Speakers included: Rev. Manuel Sykes, pastor of Bethel Community Baptist Church in St. Petersburg; Mr. Juan Jose Sabines, the Mexican Consul of Orlando; and Ms. Julianne Holt, the Hillsborough County Public Defender.
Niko Papaheraklis, the President of Youth for Human Rights (YHR) Florida led the walk, with six youth carrying the YHR banner. Entities represented included: The City of Tampa, Brothers United Building Brothers Alliance, Bikers Against Human Trafficking, Project Link, Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, The Gentleman’s Course, and others.
Mr. Anthony Carswell, the Chair of the Commission of Human Rights for the City of Tampa, spoke on how all citizens need to come together to fight for human rights and inclusion of all races and beliefs. He then read a proclamation honoring International Human Rights Day from Bob Buckhorn, the Mayor of Tampa.
Youth for Human Rights also received a proclamation from the Mayor of St. Petersburg and a letter of appreciation from State Representative Chris Latvala.
Mayor Rick Kriseman of St. Petersburg acknowledged the work of both Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights in his proclamation and named December 4th “Stand Up For Human Rights Day.”
United for Human Rights (UHR) and Youth for Human Rights (YHR)
UHR and YHR are non-profit organizations that assist and unite individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies at all levels around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). They distribute booklets on the 30 articles of the UDHR, “The Story of Human Rights" video and an educator's guide on the 30 articles. These materials are created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology inspired the movement when he said, "Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream."