Freedom Fighters Including Released Russian Prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza Pay Tribute to OXIcourage

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WASHINGTON, DC, November 13, 2024 – Several of the world’s most courageous freedom fighters convened in Washington, DC at the 14th Annual OXI Courage Awards on October 30 at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Recently released Russian political prisoner and 2018 OXI Courage Award laureate Vladimir Kara-Murza joined several other previous honorees in giving passionate tributes to OXI courage. They included Iraqi human rights activist and survivor of ISIS atrocities Nadia Murad (2016) and Filipino journalist and activist Maria Ressa (2019), both subsequent Nobel Peace Prize recipients; the mother of executed American journalist James Foley (2014), Diane, and the daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado (2024 Global Courage Award), Ana. Also in attendance was Chinese dissident Chen Guangchen (2012).

Ana Machado, Daughter of Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Machado

The Washington OXI Day Foundation, created in 2011, honors and inspires courage in the world by presenting the OXI Courage Award to modern day heroes of freedom and democracy who embody the “David vs. Goliath” historic courage exhibited by the Greek people during World War II. This has become what many consider the most inspirational event in Washington, DC every year.

The impactful work of the Foundation is made possible by our generous sponsors, which include:  

– our Platinum sponsor: Libra Philanthropies

– our Gold sponsors: Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation, John P. Calamos Foundation, the Haseotes Family and Manatos & Manatos

– our Silver Sponsors: the Angelides Family, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos FoundationJohn & Dathel GeorgesDanialle & Pete KarmanosGeorge & Judy MarcusJohn & Marisa Payiavlas, James & Theodore Pedas Family Foundation and Michael & Robin Psaros; and

– our Bronze Sponsors: Leon & Robyn AndrisAxios WinesGeorgetown CupcakeDemetrios & Georgia HalakosDennis & Karen Mehiel, the Mistras FamilyPadis VineyardsPeter & Vicky PalivosLynn & Paun Peters, the Polymeropoulos FamilyTsakos Energy Navigation and Verras Law.

White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan

2018 OXI Courage Award Laureate, Vladimir Kara-Murza

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan introduced keynote speaker Kara-Murza on the International Day of Political Prisoners.  Those in the audience included senior US policymakers, international opinion leaders and prominent Greek-American leaders. The two day event attracts over 400 people each year. Other past OXI Courage Award laureates include: Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, then-Vice President Joe Biden and Beau Biden and executed journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Pete, Leo and Danialle Karmanos

The first 2024 OXI Courage Award went to Shabana Basij-Rasikh, founder of SOLA, the School of Leadership Afghanistan, the only country in the world to prohibit access to education for girls over the age of 12 and women. Her introduction was written by Washington OXI Day Foundation Advisory Board Member Danialle Karmanos and delivered by Advisory Board Member Laura Evans Manatos. The award was presented by 2016 OXI Courage Award and 2018 Nobel Prize Laureate Nadia Murad.

Nadia Murad and Shabana Basij-Rasikh

The second OXI Courage Award went to Russian political prisoners Alexei Gorinov and Maria Ponomarenko. Recently released Russian political prisoner Ilya Yashin accepted the award on their behalf, and political activist Evgenia Kara-Murza provided their introduction.  

Evgenia Kara-Murza

Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yahsin, and Evgenia Kara-Murza

In addition, the Foundation’s Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award was presented to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, who was introduced by Congressman John Sarbanes. This award, presented each year to someone courageously fighting antisemitism and discrimination, has been received in the past by Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel, Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Perez and Congressman John Lewis, among others.

Congressman John Sarbanes

His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Senator Cardin, and Congressman Sarbanes

Earlier that day, three Greek-American veterans were honored, as they are every year, at the OXI Service Awards at the National WWII Memorial on the National Mall. Four Star General Andrew Poppas received the OXI Service Award for his current day service from George Logothetis. WWII Veteran Dennis Georges was honored posthumously with the Haseotes Service Award and his son John Georges received the award. Decorated Vietnam Veteran John Calamos presented the Calamos Service Award to fellow Vietnam veteran George Hiotis. National WWII Museum President and CEO Stephen Watson gave the keynote speech.

George Logothetis and General Poppas

John Calamos and George Hiotis

Stephen Watson and John Georges

Washington OXI Day Foundation Executive Director, Mike Manatos said, “What started as a Foundation to revive the story of OXI Day, has evolved into a global champion for courage, all rooted in the courage of the Greeks.  From the creation of democracy 2,500 years ago, to Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, to 1821, to October 28 – this unsurpassed courage lives on today in our OXI Courage Award laureates.  And, someday soon, will live on in the next Nobel Peace Prize – but for courage: The OXI Courage Prize.

For photos of this year’s gala, please click here

Mrs. Guangcheng, Chen Guangcheng, and Mike Manatos

Libra Group and Libra Philanthropies Team

John and Diane Foley 

Maria Ressa

Congressman Sarbanes, H.E. Ambassador Savva, and H.E. Ambassador Nassika 

Dennis Georges Family and John Calamos

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