Bhuiyan named Peacemaker of the Year

Death Penalty Opponent Rais Bhuiyan Named Peacemaker of the Year

Dallas Peace Center Also Honors Roger Kallenberg,  

South Dallas Cultural Center & BJ Austin

DALLAS – The Dallas Peace Center (DPC) hosts its 25th annual Peacemaker Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 1, at the Double Tree Hotel, 4099 Valley View Lane, honoring death penalty opponent Rais Bhuiyan, the late peace activist Roger Kallenberg, South Dallas Cultural Center & KERA-FM reporter BJ Austin for their efforts in promoting peace, justice and human rights. The reception will be at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner and program at 7:00 p.m.

Rais Bhuiyan, founder of World Without Hate, this year demonstrated the healing and transforming power of forgiveness when he tirelessly campaigned for the life of his own assailant who, ultimately, was executed by the State. On September 21, 2001, Bhuiyan, a Muslim immigrant from Bangladesh, was shot in the face by Mark Stroman in a hate crime stimulated by the 9/11 attacks. Stoman also killed two other men, Waqar Hasan and Vasudev Patel, and was sentenced to death for his crimes. Raised to value forgiveness and the sanctity of life, Bhuiyan, along with Hasan's and Patel's survivors, pleaded unsuccessfully for a stay of execution. The mission of Bhuiyan's organization is based on a vision of a world based upon mutual respect, dignity, compassion and understanding: to educate the global community about hate crimes and act to prevent them, and to offer psychological, emotional, and financial support to victims of hate crimes. Bhuiyan will receive the 2011 Peacemaker of the Year Award.

Roger Kallenberg, a longtime Dallas peace activist, devoted his life to a host of causes, primarily moving the Dallas/Fort Worth area away from a war-driven economy, eliminating nuclear weapons and nuclear power, gaining Palestinian self-determination. In addition to his leadership in these areas, Kallenberg was a consistent source of support and rejuvenation to all members of the Dallas peace community. He died of a bone marrow disease this fall. Kallenberg will receive, posthumously, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

South Dallas Cultural Center has been empowering and inspiring the Dallas African American community since its opening 25 years ago. With its new programs such as the Freedom Forums, and providing a space where community activists, art and culture intersect, the Center is a touchstone in South Dallas. For its work, the South Dallas Cultural Center will receive the 2011 Peacemaking Organization of the Year.

BJ Austin, a reporter for KERA 90.1FM, is willing to take risks and cover stories of grassroots activism which might otherwise go unnoticed. She is being honored for her continued discipline to be an objective reporter. She will be the first recipient of the new Media Peacemaker of the Year Award.

Tickets are available at different levels. To purchase tickets, go to www.DallasPeaceCenter.org, or contact Kelli Obazee at 214-823-7793 or  @dallaspeacecenter.org?" target="_blank">admin@dallaspeacecenter.org

SHORT VERSION

The Dallas Peace Center will hold the 25th Annual Peacemaker Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 1. Reception at 5:30 p.m., and program at 7:00 p.m. The 2011 Peacemaker of the Year Award will be presented to death penalty opponent Rais Bhuiyan. Other awards will be presented to the late Roger Kallenberg, South Dallas Cultural Center and KERA-FM reporter BJ Austin. To purchase tickets, go to www.DallasPeaceCenter.org, call 214-823-7793 or email @dallaspeacecenter.org" target="_blank">director@dallaspeacecenter.org.