Salem's Voices Against Injustice Honors Cosecha MA With Award

SALEM, MA — The Salem-based Voices Against Injustice honored Cosecha Massachusetts with its 2021 Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice for the group's efforts to provide financial assistance and advocate for driver's licenses for documented and undocumented immigrants during the coronavirus health crisis.

Cosecha MA was honored for mobilizing efforts throughout the state to push for legislation, providing mutual aid in the form of direct financial assistance for more than 500 families left out of relief efforts and supplying food and resources for more than 1,000 immigrant families across the state.

"Cosecha MA embodies the spirit of the Salem Award by raising their voices in unison to empower communities and protect human rights," Voices Against Injustice Co-Chair Patricia Fae Ho said.

Cosecha MA is part of Movimiento Cosecha, a national immigrant-led movement "fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States."

Cosecha MA advocates for driver's licenses for all, regardless of immigration status, with the believe that the ability to possess a driver's license is a "moral imperative and an essential step in stopping the pipeline to detention and deportation in Massachusetts."

As part of their efforts in 2020, Cosecha MA organized a 13-day encampment in front of the State House.

"Cosecha MA demonstrates courage in the face of injustice, which is at the core of our mission," VAI Awards Committee Chair Ana Brea stated. "This fact, coupled with their rapid and significant work to support immigrant communities during the COVID crisis left us no doubt that they should be this year's recipient."

Voices Against Injustice (formerly the Salem Award Foundation) has selected award recipients since 1992, the tercentenary of the Salem Witch Trials, which resulted in the execution of 20 innocent people.

This annual award is one of the ways shines a light on the lessons of the Salem Witch Trials by amplifying the work of an organization that is actively fighting discrimination.

An online awards event honoring the 2021 Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice and the Rising Leader Awards (for high school students) will be held in April.