NEDemocracy

90 seconds. One unforgettable night. 🌎

At George Washington’s Mount Vernon, NED’s 2026 Democracy Awards honored courageous people from Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Ethiopia, Russia, and Syria who are carrying the promise of freedom forward.

Congratulations to @viasna96, @LMOAlcantara, @felixncuba, @addisstandard and @SyrianCenter

Watch the highlights.

Congressman @MarioDB has dedicated his career to championing freedom and amplifying the voices of those seeking it around the world.

Born to Cuban parents forced into exile, he understands the stakes of liberty and has helped keep democratic values at the center of America’s engagement with the world.

@NEDemocracy is proud to honor Congressman Díaz-Balart with the 2026 Champion of Freedom Democracy Award.

People across Africa are being imprisoned for demanding freedom and human dignity for their fellow citizens.

Last week, at the Lincoln Memorial, the October 30 Coalition marked the International Day of Political Prisoners by reading aloud the names of those unjustly imprisoned for defending fundamental freedoms.

Former political prisoners, their families, and pro-democracy advocates reminded us that #FreedomStartsWithAName and that no political prisoner should ever be forgotten.

The Chinese Communist Party continues to imprison those who dare to speak, assemble, and worship freely.

On the International Day of Political Prisoners, the October 30 Coalition partners and the families of Chinese political prisoners gathered to amplify their calls for freedom and demand their release.

#FreedomStartsWithAName

Hundreds of people remain imprisoned in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua for challenging authoritarian rule.

Last week, on the International Day of Political Prisoners, the October 30 Coalition brought together former detainees, their families, and pro-democracy advocates at the Lincoln Memorial to demand their release and an end to repression across the Western Hemisphere.

#FreedomStartsWithAName