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Global stars come together to back Syria’s White Helmets for Nobel Peace Prize 

Thursday 15th September 2016 — Some of the biggest names in arts and entertainment have joined leading politicians and thought leaders to support the nomination of a Syrian rescue group known as the “White Helmets” for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Alicia Keys, Ben Affleck, Daniel Craig, George Clooney, Justin Timberlake and Michelle Yeoh are amongst the roll call of public figures who have today endorsed the nomination. They join over 130,000 people worldwide who have also supported the Syrian volunteers.

The White Helmets are a volunteer rescue group who rush towards the scene of airstrikes and other emergencies in Syria, helping rescue people from the rubble. They are from all walks of life, including former carpenters, bakers and construction workers and have saved over 60,000 lives.

Public figures from Norway to Mexico who have pledged their support for the White Helmets’ Nobel Peace Prize nomination include Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarón, Andy Serkis, Aziz Ansari, Bear Grylls, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Martin, Damon Albarn, Daniel Day Lewis, Dave Eggers, Edward Norton, Guy Berryman, Isla Fisher, Joe Wright, Joel Kinnaman, Jonny Buckland, Karl Ove Knausgård, Linn Ullmann, Marjane Satrapi, Michael Palin, Miles Teller, Padma Lakshmi, Ridley Scott, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Dr Rowan Williams, Sacha Baron Cohen, Thandie Newton, Will Champion, Vanessa Redgrave, Zoe Saldana.

Responding to the news of this worldwide show of support, the head of the White Helmets Raed Saleh said:

“For international stars to stand next to the White Helmets’ humanitarian cause raises the spirits of all people doing this work. It will help our lifesaving work spread across the world and will also help the morale of civilians suffering inside Syria.

“These public figures have given a huge morale boost to the volunteers of the White Helmets. We deeply appreciate this support and remain determined to rescue as many souls as possible and create the opportunity for peace. This is our mission.

Anna Nolan, Director of The Syria Campaign said:

“Every day the White Helmets wake up to save lives that others are trying so hard to take. Having the support of so many high-profile figures is a huge boost to the White Helmet volunteers who are being targeted for their humanitarian work. It is a testament to the work of the White Helmets that the people who play heroes in the movies, stand by the world’s real life heroes.”

ENDS

Here is the full list of public figures who have endorsed the nomination:

– Public petition in support of the White Helmets Nomination which has gathered over 130,000 signatures: www.nobelpeaceprize.whitehelmets.org

– The White Helmets were formally nominated for the Nobel Peace prize by a number of high profile figures including the slain British MP Jo Cox.