ACLU Honors Civil Liberties Champions At Annual Torch of Liberty Awards Dinner Thursday, May 23, 2002
Friday, May 17, 2002
LOS ANGELES - Each year, the ACLU holds a gala dinner honoring individuals who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of civil rights and civil liberties. This year, the ACLU will proudly present its 2002 Torch of Liberty Award to director Michael Mann for his work on the film Ali and other socially significant works, Aaron Sorkin, the creator of NBC's The West Wing and Arista Records CEO Antonio "LA" Reid.
Michael Mann's powerful work as a filmmaker demonstrates his commitment to the values embodied in the Bill of Rights and to the mission of the ACLU. Nothing exemplifies this more than Mann's protagonists in his films, from Russell Crowe's character in The Insider to Will Smith's portrayal of Muhammad Ali, all have been courageous advocates for liberty and justice. As portrayed in Ali, the ACLU defended Muhammad Ali's courageous stand against the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector. When Ali defied an all-white draft board that disproportionately sent African- Americans and Latinos to Vietnam, the ACLU fought for Ali's right to exercise religious freedom, questioned the fairness of the draft and challenged the government's use of wiretaps in his prosecution. In The Insider, Mann showed the tremendous personal devastation that is endured by anyone that challenges those in power by telling the truth at any cost. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to pay tribute to him and to honor his commitment to freedom and justice.
As a member of the RIAA board of directors, and in his work as a producer and songwriter, Antonio "LA" Reid has always been a champion of artists' rights and creative freedom. With his guidance, LaFace Records worked to expand opportunities for people of color in all areas of the entertainment industry. Reid has shown a deep commitment to equality by serving as a role model and by hiring and mentoring young people of color, so that this largely under-represented population in the entertainment industry has the chance to break through the barriers that often confront them. Under Reid's leadership, LaFace grew into one of the music industry's premier record labels, dominating both the pop and R&B charts with top musical artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, Usher, Tony Rich, Pink and Outkast, among others. Reid is helping to eliminate the racial "glass ceiling" within the entertainment industry, and the ACLU is proud to honor his achievements.
Aaron Sorkin is fully aware of what is at stake in America today and he has the courage to speak up clearly and strongly in defense of constitutional rights. In A Few Good Men, Sorkin confronted how illusive and complicated true justice can be. The speech that Sorkin wrote for Michael Douglas in The American President was articulate, impassioned, and a great tribute to the ACLU. Now with the award-winning show West Wing, Sorkin invites viewers to take the impersonal political world into their homes on a weekly basis. Ultimately, this may help viewers see our leaders as people, and may encourage them to participate in the political process by using their all-important vote. His response to the devastating events of September 11 on the show were thought provoking and garnered much praise. In an industry clouded with fear and uncertainty, Sorkin's courage and devotion offer an unwavering beacon.
"The Torch of Liberty Award was created to acknowledge the contributions made by individuals from the media and arts & entertainment industry whose creative work and sometimes daring work affirms the democratic principles that underlie the promise of 'liberty and justice for all,'" said Ramona Ripston, Executive Director of the ACLU of Southern California. "Michael Mann, Aaron Sorkin and Antonio Reid have all made lasting contributions to the ideals the ACLU represents and works to defend."
Also planning to attend the event are: Mario Van Peebles, Mimi Rogers, Christine Lahti, Daniel Benzali, Meg and Lawrence Kasdan, Naomi Foner and Stephen Gyllenhaal, and Larry Flynt.
The event will take place Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 6:00 p.m., and will be held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. For additional ticket information call toll free: 877/ 225-8487.
Journalists interested in covering the event should contact the ACLU Media Relations department at 213/977-9500 x.252.
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