Kerry Kennedy speaks during the 2021 RFK Ripple Of Hope Gala at the New York Hilton Midtown on Dec. 9, 2021 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
"From her anti-detention work to her support of LGBTQ+ youth, Arely is a true force for social justice," Kerry Kennedy said over the weekend. "The difference between a victim and a hero is activism with a loving heart. Arely has used her personal experiences to fuel her advocacy and build a better, more just world. We are honored to recognize her efforts and continue working alongside her."
Westley, a Honduras native, was detained in 2022 at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Once released, RFK Human Rights claims Westley began leading "multiple shutdown campaigns," calling for the closure of ICE detention facilities that have a "history of documented abuse." According to RFK Human Rights, Westley suffered "egregious human rights violations" and was held in solitary confinement for extra protection.
Westley currently serves as a campaign director at BreakOUT!, an organization that seeks to "end the criminalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth who are directly impacted by the criminal or juvenile justice system in New Orleans."
VIRGINIA COUNTY DECLARES TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY ON EASTER THIS YEAR
The sign of The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building is seen in Washington D.C. on Jan. 5, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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According to its website, RFK Human Rights advocates "for human rights issues and pursues strategic litigation to hold governments accountable at home and around the world."
"We foster a social good approach to business, celebrate agents of change, and to ensure change that lasts, we educate millions of students about human rights, training the next generation of leaders," the website reads.
Previous laureates include Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis, who advocated for peace in Liberia (1999), Kenyan war prisoner Gibson Kamau Kuria (1988), Chinese activist against the communist party and physicist, Fang Lizhi (1989), Brazilian activist for the poor and former seminarian Darci Frigo (2001), among others.
Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.
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