Image of Jamal Khashoggi Projected on the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. and Other Locations on Second Anniversary of His Assassination

Today, Freedom First, in partnership with Amnesty International USA, covertly projected giant images of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi on the facade of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and other locations across Washington D.C. as part of a human rights campaign and large-scale architectural art projection to commemorate the second anniversary of his killing. This operation was organized by Freedom First, a campaign of The Freedom Initiative, to draw attention to the individuals unfairly detained, prosecuted and tortured under the leadership of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

Mohamed Soltan from The Freedom Initiative states, “Even when the lights go out and the cameras turn to the next big story, we’ll still be here, working tirelessly to get justice for our friend, Jamal. To make sure that the horrendous crime of his assassination doesn’t pass with impunity.”

Philippe Nassif from Amnesty International USA states, “Saudi Arabia’s courts routinely deny defendants access to lawyers and sentence people to death following grossly unfair trials. Thus, Amnesty International considers the verdict to be a that brings neither justice nor the truth for Jamal Khashoggi and his loved ones. On the anniversary of your assassination, we promise you, Jamal, to always tell your story and to fight tirelessly until justice and truth are served. Rest in peace.”

The stunning projections also urged people to take a Freedom Pledge, vowing their dedication to spread awareness of universal human rights and to challenge governments who silence the truth. The activities are part of the Freedom First campaign to draw attention to the human rights abuses committed under the leadership of Mohamed bin Salman, including repression of freedom of expression, extrajudicial killings, torture and detention of prisoners of conscience and celebrity-washing of systemic human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia through massive investments in the entertainment industry.

Earlier this week, Freedom First launched a nationwide billboard campaign in New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami highlighting the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian government’s’s detention of prisoners of conscience. 

Freedom Pledge

“It is important to me to use my platform and voice to protect everyone’s right, no matter where they live, to speak their mind.

I pledge to uplift stories of those striving for basic human rights and dignity.

I pledge to be an ally in challenging governments and authorities who silence truth and freedom.

I pledge to use my platform to urge others to hold dear the same freedoms.

I pledge to encourage others to take action to uphold those freedoms. I pledge to be a voice for freedom.”

About The Freedom First Campaign:

Freedom First is a campaign in partnership with The Freedom Initiative and Amnesty International USA to educate leaders from throughout the entertainment industry about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the impacts of entertainment-based celebrity-washing. The Freedom First campaign demands an end to the human rights abuses committed by Saudi Arabia’s government.

This statement is available at: https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/jamalkhashoggibillboard/

Follow @amnestyusa on Twitter, Instagram @amnestyusa, and Facebook FB.com/amnestyusa.