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AAEC releases mission statement underscoring free speech and human rights

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Alan Gardner March 24, 2015 1 minute 1 comment

The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) has released the organization’s mission statement outlining its purpose. AAEC President Jack Ohman tells me that even though the organization has been around for over 50 years, the recent violent events in Europe has motivated the board to declare its support for free speech and cartoonists rights around the world.

Jack says:

The board thought it appropriate to do so given the recent terrorist attacks. We wanted to state clearly that we are an advocacy organization for free speech and human rights, and not just a social group.

Here’s the AAEC mission statement:

• To support the profession of editorial cartooning in the United States on all platforms.
• To be an international leader in support of the human, civil, and artistic rights of editorial cartoonists around the world, and to stand with other international groups in support of the profession.
• To be a national and international leader for free speech, the foundation of political cartooning.
• To encourage and foster young editorial cartooning talent.
• To provide a common meeting ground for editorial cartoonists each year to exchange views, meet socially, and showcase creative and technological innovation.