awarded a human rights prize by the United Nations’ human rights arm in recognition of his social justice advocacy work.
Legend has been announced as
the 2020 recipient of the High Note Global Prize, of which the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN’s leading human rights organisation,
is the global partner.
The distinction aims to
“celebrate an iconic artist who has promoted social justice for over a decade”.
Legend shared a
short video with an acceptance speech, saying, “I believe in the power of music
to inspire us, to connect our hearts, to give voice to feelings for which words
alone won’t suffice, to wake us up out of complacency, to galvanize and fuel
social movements. Artists have a rich tradition of activism. We have a unique
opportunity to reach people where they are, beyond political divisions,
borders, and silos. And it’s been my privilege to use my voice and my platform
to advance the cause of equity and justice.”
Legend has long been an advocate
for social justice. One of his most recent initiatives, the FREEAMERICA campaign,
focuses on ending mass incarceration and promoting criminal justice reform.
In 2007, Legend launched the Show
Me campaign focusing on education. The campaign now also has an arm dedicated
to reducing mass incarceration, created in 2015.
Legend is also an adviser on the
Bail Project, which helps free people who are held on bail in the US.
