It’s now been more than eight months since CIA/torture whistleblower John Kiriakou was imprisoned for telling the truth. Kiriakou, a GAP client, is the sole CIA agent to go to jail in connection with the U.S. torture program, despite the fact that he never tortured anyone. Rather, he blew the whistle on this horrific wrongdoing. You can read about Kiriakou’s case in full here.
There is recent good news, however, for Kiriakou and whistleblower supporters everywhere. It has been revealed that this brave truth-teller is one of several whistleblowers who has won the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County’s “Peacemaker of the Year” award! In a letter to retired natural nutritionist Catherine J. Frompovich (who corresponds with Kiriakou in prison), the whistleblower penned the following:
I had some great news this week. The Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County, CA, gave me their “2014 Peacemaker of the Year” Award. The Executive Director will accept it on my behalf on November 9. I wish I could be there.
According to its website, the mission of the Center is to “inform, support and energize the Sonoma County community to create peace and social justice through active non-violence.”
GAP wishes to extend its congratulations to John and other truth-tellers – including fellow GAP client Tom Drake – on another well-deserved recognition of their brave actions.
Kiriakou is no stranger to being honored for his heroic actions. In late 2012, he was selected to receive the Joe A. Callaway Award for Civil Courage, an award given to individuals who advance truth and justice despite the personal risk it creates. In early 2013, Kiriakou was honored by inclusion of his portrait in artist Robert Shetterly’s series “Americans Who Tell the Truth,” which features notable truth-tellers from American history. You can watch a short video of the Washington, DC event unveiling his portrait here.
From all citizens who care about justice and transparency, thank you yet again, John Kiriakou, for standing up on behalf of the truth.
Editor’s Note: Another article detailing the award has emerged here, showing that Kiriakou is one of several awardees. Language in the column above now reflects this.
Dylan Blaylock is Communications Director for the Government Accountability Project, the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.