“Billions” star Asia Kate Dillon presented the PEN/Benenson Freedom of Expression Courage Award to Jack Petocz, a high school activist who was suspended earlier this year for passing out Pride flags during a protest of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
was honored as the Business Visionary Honoree. The gala concluded withYesypenko was arrested by Russian officers in Mar. 2021 on suspicion of collecting information for Ukrainian intelligence. After being brutally tortured, he was forced to falsely confess on live Russian television to espionage and making firearms.
“He is a courageous truth-teller, a patriot, a beloved father and husband,” Douglas said. “In his work as a journalist, he has sacrificed his own freedom to bring to us the stories and the truths of the people of Ukraine.” Douglas continued, “Like so many of us, I’ve been awed by the bravery of the people of Ukraine today and they are a powerful resistance for the campaign by Putin and the Russian regime to wipe the country of its culture and its history right off the map.”
Since Yesypenko is currently serving a six-year sentence in a Russian labor colony, the award was accepted by his wife,. She spoke about her recent trip to Washington, where she urged government officials to end the prosecution of independent journalists who wish to write and speak freely. “I know my husband shares this hope, hope that the democratic world will unite against Vladimir Putin’s aggression,” Yesypenko said. “That is what keeps him and the hundreds of other Ukrainian political prisoners Putin holds captive going.”
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