News release details

"Just as the Olympics celebrates excellence in amateur sport, so will the Canadian Museum for Human Rights celebrate excellence in human rights leadership and advocacy," said Stuart Murray, CMHR President and Chief Executive Officer. "We can't wait for the Museum to open in 2012 to realize our mission of promoting respect, so we are inviting people right here, right now, to find their human rights voice and to speak up for the rights they believe all people should have."

As part of its interactive display at Live City Downtown in Centreplace Manitoba, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is inviting people to complete the sentence "Everyone has the right to…." on a small protest sign and have their photo taken in front of a 10 foot, 3 dimensional architectural mural of the Museum. "Canadians, through awareness raising and peaceful protest, have advanced the cause for human rights here and around the world. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will celebrate this while exploring human rights issues that continue to exist, capturing compelling stories of challenge and triumph, and inspiring change for the future here and throughout the world", said Mr. Murray.

Participants, in exchange for a donation to the museum's fundraising campaign, can take home a souvenir photo of their visit to the Museum display and receive a human rights "star" pin. This pin has become a recognizable call to action for all of us to be human rights "stars". "The more action we take towards building a respectful world, the more humanity shines," said Mr. Murray. "The Canadian Museum for Human Rights invites everyone to wear this pin proudly signifying their commitment to promote and protect human rights each and every day." 

The launch featured protest signs from well‐known Canadian human rights champions including Canadian Olympic medalist Mark Tewksbury, renowned singer Buffy Ste‐Marie, humanitarian Craig Kielburger of Free the Children, 2010 Winter Olympic medal designer Corrine Hunt, and members of the Canadian and American Women's Ski Jump teams.

"We're thrilled that so many remarkable Canadians have embraced this vision," says Murray, "These individuals are all true champions in their areas." After the Olympics, these special signs will be auctioned off to raise money for the Museum, which is currently being built to open in Winnipeg in 2012.

For more information or photos, contact:

Angela J. Cassie

Director, Communications and Public Engagement| Directeur, Communications et Mobilisation du public

Canadian Museum for Human Rights | Musée canadien des droits de la personne

269 rue Main Street

Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3C 1B3

T: (204) 289‑2006

F: (204) 289‑2001