From the JTA:
The National Building Museum cancelled a ceremony honoring Caterpillar after pressure from a foundation named for Rachel Corrie, the activist killed during Gaza home demolitions.
“We feel the environment for the 2011 Henry C. Turner Price has become politicized and this will divert attention from innovation in construction technology, which is the purpose of the prize and central to the Museum’s mission,” said a letter from Chase Rynd, the museum’s director, sent Sept. 2 to Corrie’s parents who run the foundation. “With an abundance of concern for the safety of Museum staff and guests attending the event in light of potential protests and counter-protests, the Museum and Turner have decided not to hold the public ceremony.”
The article adds that the Rachel Corrie Foundation, along with Jewish Voice for Peace, Code Pink, the Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace and the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, is still working on the museum to drop the prize all together.
