Secularist of the Year 2009
The National Secular Society’s Secularist of the Year award was given jointly to Dr Evan Harris MP and Lord Eric Avebury for their success in getting the blasphemy laws abolished.
The prize was presented by Professor Richard Dawkins at a packed lunch and awards ceremony at the Imperial Hotel in central London.
NSS Honorary Associate Richard Dawkins announces the winners
Richard Dawkins presents Dr Evan Harris MP and Lord Avebury with their awards
Secularist of the Year 2009 Evan Harris MP
NSS Executive Director Keith Porteous Wood (right) congratulates Secularist of the Year Lord Avebury
Ariane Sherine receives a special award for her high-profile atheist bus campaign.
Lunch is served
NSS Vice President, and chair of the Lawyers Secular Society, Carla Revere 'off duty'
NSS President Terry Sanderson entertained the audience with a re-enactment of the famous debate in 1860 between Thomas Huxley and the Bishop of Oxford “Soapy Sam” Wilberforce.
Matthew LaClair joined us from New Jersey, USA to tell of his experience in challenging his teacher who had been preaching in the classroom.
