What started out as a humble club established here at Cathedral Catholic High School, has evolved into an international organization that operates in multiple states across the United States and overseas.

Human rights violations are happening all over the world, and it is our responsibility to defend and protect the individuals who are being mistreated. Senior Blake Behmer, has always had an interest in world issues and current events, and he has done exactly that.

During his sophomore year, in Dr. Williams English class, Behmer had to do a report on an international human rights issue. Upon researching, Behmer was shocked by the number of potential topics, “I felt like there was not enough attention on these extremely important human rights issues around the world and felt like I needed to act. We get so caught up with our daily lives that we often forget to focus on helping and uplifting those who have been affected by human rights offenses.”

Behmer, decided to take his stand, and created the Human Rights Club, making certain that all individuals have the same chance to exercise the rights that have been granted to them. Behmer is determined not to ignore the suffering of people worldwide, and instead, is doing everything he can to take action. This involves raising awareness about the human rights violations that occur globally, gathering resources to support human rights initiatives, and becoming involved in his local communities to create a world where those who have been oppressed can have a voice. By taking these steps, Behmer hopes that he can work towards creating a world where the rights of every individual are upheld and respected.

The Human Rights Club is a non-partisan international organization run by a group of student activists who are deeply committed to raising awareness and promoting human rights issues on a global scale, as well as addressing local issues in their communities. The group firmly believes that every person, regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, is entitled to their basic rights and should never be deprived of them, under any circumstances. The group is determined to stand up for those whose human rights are being violated, and is actively involved in activism, education, and fundraising to bring about lasting change. Through their efforts, the HRC hopes to make the world a better place, where the protection of human rights is considered a top priority.

Behmer states, “everyone here at Cathedral is encouraged to join the Human Rights Club at Cathedral Catholic because they will not only learn about a multitude of current human rights and social issues, but they will join us in our efforts to uplift and protect the human rights of others. Students can spread awareness by using their voices on social media, having conversations with others to help educate them on important human rights issues, participating in efforts organized to support human rights, and many more.”

There have been several remarkable instances in the history of the Human Rights Club. Currently, the club boasts of an extensive network of enthusiastic students who are committed to preserve the fundamental rights of individuals, with chapters established in 10 states and 5 countries outside of Cathedral Catholic! The club’s phenomenal expansion has fostered a sense of collective responsibility and created a platform for like-minded individuals to come together to achieve a positive change in the world. Behmer continues to explain, “The opportunity to meet a multitude of connected spirits who share a dedication to human rights has been an exceptionally gratifying experience, and instilled in me a renewed sense of optimism for the future.

The Human Rights Club website states, “All proceeds raised by the Human Rights Club will be distributed to non-partisan human rights organizations, advocating issues aligned with the HRC’s initiatives, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, Save Uighur Campaign, and more. We have a broad range of organizations that we seek to support, ensuring that we are covering a wide variety of human rights issues. This is a great way to get involved in human rights efforts all over the world.”

When joining, a student can expect to become very educated on current issues, while participating in and helping organize events, drives, fundraisers, and other activities aimed at spreading awareness to human rights offenses. One can sign up by emailing [email protected]! The Human Rights Club meets once a month on Tuesdays in Ms. Gonzales’ room.