APPNA joins the global community in mourning the loss of civil rights activist, humanitarian and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali's legacy is one of fearless integrity and speaking truth to power. He is an inspiration to generations the world over; even people who never saw any of his boxing matches. His grace and brilliance in the ring remain unmatched. His greatest gifts to people globally were his courage and unmoving determination to fight for the rights of the poor, oppressed and disenfranchised.

Muhammad Ali's fierce anti-war activism is as relevant today as it was during the Vietnam era. He became a conscientious objector to the Vietnam war and was eloquent when he said: "I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn't have to draft me, I'd join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I'll go to jail, so what? We've been in jail for 400 years."

Even after winning the Olympics Gold Medal in 1960 Muhammad Ali endured the ignominy of not being able to eat at a restaurant due only to his skin color. We owe the end of overt segregation to voices like Muhammad Ali's that will endure forever.

APPNA celebrates the life of Muhammad Ali and hopes that millions the world over will honor him by emulating his intrepid integrity and his deep determination to speak out against war, racism, oppression and injustice.