The Leopoldo López Freedom and Democracy Award honors an individual who has shown a commitment to plural and inclusive democracy echoing that of the award’s namesake, prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and political prisoner Leopoldo López ’93 H’07. In creating the award, López’s classmates, family and the Kenyon community at large ensure López’s commitment and bravery will not be forgotten, and they shine a light on the dangers of undermining the core principles of democracy.
The award, which comes with a $10,000 honorarium, will be presented for the first time in spring 2020.
This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated:
Nominees do not need to be affiliated with Kenyon College.
The nomination period for the award is open Aug. 1–Sept. 15. Letters of nominations may be submitted directly to the Center for the Study of American Democracy at democracy@kenyon.edu or through an online form. Letters of nomination need not be lengthy, but should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate the qualifications and strengths of the nominee relative to the terms of the award. Letters will be reviewed by a selection committee including members of the Kenyon community and representatives of the López family.
The recipient will be announced in winter 2019 and will be presented their award in spring 2020.
Yes. Both awards pay homage to López’s commitment to his cause. One award honors a member of Kenyon’s campus community, and the other honors a member of the global community.
Leopoldo López ’93 H’07 is the most prominent leader of the Venezuelan opposition movement. In early 2014, López, along with more than 500,000 supporters, peacefully protested the Venezuelan regime’s human rights abuses and dismantling of fair democratic processes. López was unjustly detained on charges of murder, terrorism and conspiracy, and after a trial that the Venezuelan prosecutor has since conceded was a “farce,” was sentenced to nearly 14 years in Venezuela’s Ramo Verde military prison. He was released under house arrest in 2017. Amnesty International called López’s treatment a “politically motivated attempt to silence dissent.” The New York Times editorial board described his trial as a “travesty.” The list of world leaders that have called for his freedom includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Through this award, López’s classmates, family and the Kenyon community acknowledge López’s bravery, conviction and compassion, which stands as an inspiration to all citizens of the world working for peaceful, democratic change.
For more information, email the Center for the Study of American Democracy at democracy@kenyon.edu.