Rob Rogers donates prize money to Cartoonist Rights Network

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial cartoonist Rob Rogers has donated his prize money from the Thomas Nast Award to the Cartoonist Rights Network International.

From Cartoonist Rights Network International:

Normally, we reserve this space for news about cartoonists who are in trouble because of their cartoons. However, we think our readers should know that recently, American cartoonist Rob Rogers (who draws for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), after winning the annual Foreign Correspondents Thomas Nast Award, donated his prize money to the Cartoonists Rights Network International.

When CRNI executive director Robert Russell called to thank him, Rob said, “The Overseas Press Club Awards ceremony reminded me of all the journalists who risk their lives every day reporting from war-torn countries around the globe while I draw cartoons from the safety of my studio. It also reminded me that there are some cartoonists who live under constant threat of being imprisoned or killed. Donating my prize money is a very small and easy thing that I can do. I didn’t do it to be recognized, but if it helps brings more attention to the plight of cartoonists and the good work of CRNI, then I am happy.”

CRNI reports that part of his donation will be spent supporting a Syrian cartoonist and his family hiding in the Middle East as they attempt to emigrate to a safe haven country. The cartoonist is under threat of being deported back to Syria and if cartoonists Ali Ferzat and Akram Raslan are any indication of his possible fate, it’s death or torture.