Distinguished alumnus Ken Feinberg ’67, ’02 Hon. and his wife DeDe hosted an event at their home on Martha’s Vineyard highlighting the legacy of Daniel Ellsberg, America’s most famous whistleblower and an ardent peace activist.

Attendees of the August event included Ellsberg’s family and friends; former U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Japan Caroline Kennedy; Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern; UMass System President Marty Meehan, UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier A. Reyes, and College of Humanities and Fine Arts Dean Lupe Davidson, as well as university alumni, faculty, and staff. Filmmaker Jay Craven and Craig McNamara—son of former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara—served as co-hosts with the Feinbergs.

The late Daniel Ellsberg devoted his life to the nonviolent struggle for peace, nuclear disarmament, and democratic rights. 

In 1971, he risked his freedom by releasing to the press and public a 7,000-page classified history of the Vietnam War—the Pentagon Papers—exposing decades of government lies and deceit. 

In 2019, Ellsberg’s papers became part of the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center at UMass Amherst. Under the direction of Professor of History Christian Appy, the university launched the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy, with the mission to advance public awareness, scholarship, and activism on the overlapping causes that define Daniel Ellsberg’s legacy—a more democratic, diplomatic, and accountable foreign policy, support for public-interest whistleblowing, government transparency and First Amendment rights, environmental justice, and nuclear disarmament.

The initiative has since sponsored two years of programs including lectures, webinars, workshops, and conferences that have involved scholars, journalists, policymakers, activists, writers, and artists from across the country and as far away as Vietnam. Each year, the initiative hosts an Ellsberg lecture—the most recent was given by Bill McKibben, an acclaimed climate activist. The initiative has also initiated a week-long activist-in-residence program, with inaugural activist in residence Ira Helfand, a co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility and a major leader in the campaign to abolish nuclear weapons.

Speaking about the initiative, Daniel’s son Robert Ellsberg said:

“It is intended to instill in a new generation a passion for truth, for democracy, for civic courage, for the power of nonviolent action in response to the perils of nuclear war, threats to the planet, and the mechanisms of authoritarianism...I am very grateful that the Ellsberg Initiative is one of the ways that [my father’s] life’s work and life lessons will continue to meet the challenges of our time.”

Kennedy offered her personal insights about the enduring relevance of Ellsberg’s activism, citing the country’s continuing struggles over press freedom, whistleblower protections, and the rule of law. 

She also conveyed her support for advancing the initiative's education of current and future generations about the moral courage needed to hold power accountable and defend democratic principles.

UMass Amherst is committed to raising a $15 million endowment to support the work of the initiative and transform it into a full-fledged academic institute.

“As an endowed institute, we could do much more,” said Professor Appy. “We want to have summer teaching institutes to bring high school teachers from around the country to explore the Ellsberg papers and develop relevant curricula that can be made available to all teachers online. We also want to offer research fellowships to scholars at all levels, including undergrads. And we want to host major artistic performances and exhibits that dramatically raise crucial questions about peace and democracy.” 

Chancellor Reyes emphasized to guests how the Ellsberg Initiative aligns perfectly with the university’s overarching strategic goals to educate, innovate, connect, and engage for the common good.

“At a time when our democratic institutions face unprecedented challenges, the lessons from Daniel's courage are more relevant than ever. If there ever was a time in this century to stand up for our democracy — with knowledge, truth, and engagement at its very foundation — this is the moment.”

Chancellor Javier A. Reyes

Interested in supporting the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy? Make your gift today.