17-year-old Minneapolis teen being honored with a courage award from PEN America

The 17-year-old Minneapolis teenager filmed the police killing of George Floyd and for that, she will be honored with a prestigious courage award.

On Tuesday, PEN America announced that Darnella Frazier, 17, will receive the 2020 PEN/Beneson Award at a virtual gala celebration on Dec. 8.

“With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black racism and violence at the hands of police,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement. “With remarkable steadiness, Darnella carried out the expressive act of bearing witness, and allowing hundreds of millions around the world to see what she saw.”

“Without Darnella’s presence of mind and readiness to risk her own safety and well-being, we may never have known the truth about George Floyd’s murder,” Nossel added. “We are proud to recognize her exceptional courage with this award.”

According to the reports, Frazier will share the Courage Award with former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.

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