A huge shout out to our volunteer photographers Amiee Finster, who has created a stunning display of her beautiful photos that are easily sharable on all social media platforms at Sharpshooter.com, and to Joe Donaldson whose photos are included on Joe Donaldson’s photos on Facebook.

Every year we honor Utahns who have made a positive impact on civil liberties through their work or activism. Our 2017 Awardees include: Youth Activist Scholarship, Jessica Rodriguez and Yearim De Leon; Torch of Freedom Award - for advancing civil liberties, Damon Harris; and Mickey Duncan Award - for excellence in civil liberties legal advocacy, David Reymann. Our Key Note Speaker is Rick Okabe, World War II Japanese internment camp survivor and Topaz Museum Board member.

 For more information about the Celebration contact Cassie Taylor, Development Director, at 801-871-0331 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Awardees and Honorees

Youth Activist Scholarship Awards: 

Jessica Rodriguez and Yearim De Leon

Jessica and Yearim were chosen for their strong commitment to protecting and enhancing civil liberties in their schools and communities. Their activist work includes immigrants’ rights, restorative justice for youth, and educational equality for all students. We are grateful to the B.W. Bastian Foundation for their generous support of this year's scholarship program. Read more about our scholarship winners >>

Torch of Freedom Award - for advancing civil liberties: 

Damon Harris

Damon is trusted by activists, advocates, and community leaders due to his ceaseless work toward police accountability, drug policy reform, and racial justice. Damon is a co-founder of Utahns Against Police Brutality and Salt Lake Cop Watch and serves on the executive committee of the Community Coalition for Police Reform.

Mickey Duncan Award - for excellence in civil liberties legal advocacy: 

David Reymann

As an attorney, David has been a long time advocate for and protector of First Amendment rights and government accountability. David has frequently teamed up with the ACLU of Utah on important issues like forcing Salt Lake City to release video footage of the police shooting of Abdi Mohamed and intervening in the Ogden “Gang Injunction” case, Weber V. Ogden Trece.  David regularly advises our legal and legislative staff on a variety of issues pertaining to civil liberties.

Keynote Speaker: 

Rick Okabe 

Rick is a Board Member of the Topaz Museum which commemorates the lives of those Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated at the Topaz Camp near Delta, Utah. Rick's parents were incarcerated in the Tule Lake Internment camp in Northern California. Rick Okabe has been a friend and partner of the ACLU of Utah for many years, serving on our Youth Activist Scholarship Selection Committee and partnering on panel discussions related to human rights and civil liberties. Through his work in the Topaz Museum and his leadership activities in the Japanese-American community, Rick feels it is important to understand the lessons of the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, particularly in light of the current targeting of Muslims through immigration bans and registries.

We have filled all of our seats, BUT we will have high boy tables for our additional guests to stand at and enjoy breakfast, beverages, and the program.

2017 Bill of Rights Breakfast Celebration
Thursday, May 25
7:30 a.m. Registration, Social Hour, & Breakfast Buffet
8:15 a.m. Program 
Utah Cultural Celebration Center
1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City, 84119 
(10 minutes from downtown, right off of I-15! See driving directions and a parking map)

This Breakfast Celebration is free (and so are the mimosas and bloody marys!) and open to all who would like to attend. Seating is limited and will go fast - RSVP REQUIRED!

Be a Sponsor: 

Your sponsorship will ensure that our organization remains strong and influential at a time when our work is most critical, and that this event remains free and all-inclusive for our community members. To be a sponsor or for more information about our celebration, please contact Cassie Taylor, Development Director, at 801-871-0331 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Create a Fundraising Team: 

You can make a meaningful impact for every Utahn by gathering your friends, creating an online fundraising team, raising funds, and celebrating our cause. For more information and to create your team visit our Razoo page. The team who raises the most money will be invited for a cozy lunch with ACLU of Utah staff at the local office and will be sent home with fun ACLU swag!

Seating is limited and will go fast - RSVP Today!