NAMES IN THE NEWS : Fang Lizhi Wins Rights Award
WASHINGTON — Chinese astrophysicist Fang Lizhi, who has been given refuge in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing since last June’s pro-democracy protests, today was announced as winner of this year’s Robert F. Kennedy human rights award.
The Robert Kennedy Memorial organization, named after the New York senator who was assassinated in 1968, said Fang won its award for speaking out against tyranny and injustice at grave personal risk.
After the Tian An Men Square uprising this summer, Fang was given refuge in the U.S. Embassy, where he remains.
The organization said Solidarity leader Lech Walesa will deliver a speech at a Washington ceremony honoring Fang when the Polish leader visits this country next month.
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