Viola Davis and Hugh Clements Honored by Nonviolence Institute
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Rhode Island native Viola Davis and Providence Chief of Police Hugh Clements are the recipients of this year's Nonviolence Institute awards.
The mission of the Nonviolence Institute is to teach, by word and example, the principles and practices of nonviolence, and to foster a community.
This year, the awards ceremony was held virtually, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"You have no idea the impact, you are making, and you don’t understand how much you are saving people. I thank you for this award and it shows me that I am doing my part," said Davis in receiving the Community Impact Award for her continued support of the Nonviolence Institute as well as numerous causes in our community.
Davis is an Academy Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award-winning actress, who has graced the cover of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People -- and landed on Forbes' Top Ten Highest Paid Actresses list.
“There is no greater worthwhile cause than to save a life. There’s power in saving a life, in saving a family and there is no greater cause that you can give to than to the Nonviolence Institute," said Clements, who was award the Sister Ann Keefe Award.
"I was pleased to present The Community Impact Award and the Sister Ann Keefe Award to two accomplished humanitarians for their outstanding efforts and contributions," said Cedric Huntley, Interim Executive Director of the Nonviolence Institute. "The staff continues its efforts to address the violence that impacts our communities city and statewide. We cannot accomplish this important work without the tremendous support of our sponsors and we look forward to your continued support now and into the future”.
About Nonviolence Institute
Sister Ann Keefe and Father Ray Malm wanted to cease the ongoing violence in their community so in 2001, along with Teny Gross, Executive Director of the Institute for Nonviolence – Chicago, they founded The Nonviolence Institute in the rectory of St. Michael’s Church on the Southside of Providence. The Nonviolence Institute teaches, by word and example, the principles and practices of nonviolence, and fosters a community that addresses potentially violent situations with nonviolent solutions.
The Institute states:
The untimely death of George Floyd has brought racial injustice that black and brown communities face to the forefront. The Nonviolence Institute continues to fight racial injustice and gives every person a chance to be a contributing member of society and to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. MLK’s first principal of nonviolence states: “Nonviolence is not for cowards, it is for courageous people”.
There is no room to sit back and be passive bystanders, we must take direct action for equal justice and build The Beloved Community. The Nonviolence Institute has been fortunate to be able to continue our work and outreach. Without the participation of our community partners, supporters and donors the prevention and intervention of violence would not be possible.
