Professional Basketball Player and Human Rights Activist, Enes Kanter Freedom, Presented Gold Good Citizenship Award from the Sons of the American Revolution

The Award Recognizes His Work to Promote America’s First Amendment Freedoms in the United States and throughout the World.

(Mason Neck, VA) – On Sunday, May 26, 2024, outside of historic Gunston Hall, representatives from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) presented former NBA star, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Enes Kanter Freedom with the Gold Good Citizenship Medal.

The SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal is awarded for outstanding and unusual patriotic achievement and service of national importance to persons of prominence on a national level in the areas of government (including military service), religion, education, business and other professions, and other fields of endeavor.

Enes has used his international platform as a successful professional basketball player to promote America’s First Amendment freedoms in the United States and throughout the world. He has criticized the government of his native Turkey for, among other things, restrictions on free speech and free press rights, and he has suffered the consequences for doing so, including the revocation of his passport and the threat of arrest. He has spoken out on behalf of oppressed minorities in China and in response, the Chinese Communist Party prohibited the streaming of Boston Celtics games in China. He has promoted freedom of religion, mutual respect for other religions, and peace between Arabs and Israelis.

Perhaps most personally and publicly he highlighted the importance of these freedoms by changing his last name to “Freedom” to celebrate becoming an American Citizen in 2021.  In so doing he keeps his focus on those who are and have been oppressed by using his name to remind others of what is most important in life.

SAR President General, John Dodd, was quoted as saying, “We were pleased Mr. Freedom accepted this award and joined us for the afternoon.  He is a thoughtful and gracious man.  Just as our Patriot Ancestors pledged their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” in the Declaration of Independence, so, too, Mr. Freedom has sacrificed much for his principles.  We are lucky to have him as a Naturalized Citizen and wish him well in his important charitable endeavors.”