- Home
- Thousands...
Thousands sign petition to stop Prince Harry receiving sports award for veterans
More than 30,000 people have signed a petition against Prince Harry being given an award created in honour of an American war hero.
The sports network ESPN has announced the Duke of Sussex will get the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
The ESPY Award was named after former professional footballer Pat Tillman, who gave up his footballing career to serve in the military after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan.
Launched on 27 June, the petition calls for ESPN to “rethink awarding the Pat Tillman Award to Prince Harry” and has gained nearly 32,000 signatures.
The petition was created by Patti Mickel, who writes that the award should be representative of Pat Tillman’s values and “should honor someone who, like Tillman, has shown unwavering dedication to their squad and country”.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was chosen for the award because of his efforts to use sport to “change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalised and suffering communities”.
Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to celebrate the sporting achievements of wounded, sick and injured service people.
The Change.org petition reads: “Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude.
“He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills.
The petition references a story in Harry’s book, Spare, in which he writes that he used a Typhoon to target his father’s car during training.
It adds: “More recently, his role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticised as self-centered.”
Harry recently celebrated the anniversary of the Invictus Games at several events in the UK including a thanksgiving service and on a mini-tour of Nigeria with his wife Meghan Markle.
Tillman’s mother, Mary, also criticised the decision to give the Duke the award and said that, in her opinion, there are much more deserving recipients to choose from.
She told the Mail on Sunday: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.
“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.”
The Independent has reached out to a representative for Prince Harry for further comment.
Independent readers are independently-minded global citizens. They are not defined by traditional demographics or profiles, but by their attitudes. In today’s increasingly fragmented world, communities value real facts and frank opinions delivered first-hand from a non-biased news brand that they can trust. Armed with information and inspiration, Independent readers are empowered and equipped to take a stand for the things they believe in.
- https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/thousands-sign-petition-to-stop-prince-harry-receiving-sports-award-for-veterans/ar-BB1pdPQj?ocid=00000000
Related
Jurgen Klopp names his Euro 2024 favourites and makes confident England prediction
There are some huge quarter final ties to look forward to.
News'Big shock’: APA Group to take $145m impairment after Qenos closure
Sky News Business Reporter Edward Boyd says the closure of the Qenos plant in Botany was a “big shock” to the industry.
NewsJackson ‘the fittest she has ever been’ as teen Opal dreams of Paris
A super-fit Lauren Jackson continues to wow her Opals teammates and coaches including teenage teammate Izzy Borlase who could be joining Jackson in Paris.
NewsSnake repellent plants: protect your garden the natural way
Love or hate them, there are lots of reasons to want to keep snakes out of your yard.
NewsFord Ranger Tremor set to shake up Australian lineup
Think Ford doesn't offer enough different Rangers in Australia? The 22-strong lineup might be about to expand once more.
NewsFrom Baghdad to Paris, Ahmed Kelly still making waves
Born in Baghdad, Ahmed Kelly became an Australian citizen in 2009 and is determined to bring home a gold medal for his adopted nation at his fourth Paralympics.
NewsPM calls out the Opposition over ‘absurd claim’ about government spending
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called out the Opposition for making an “absurd claim” about government spending during Question Time on Wednesday.
NewsNine-year-old chess prodigy becomes youngest player to represent England in any sport
A real life Queen's Gambit.
News