On May 5, the Santa Barbara Committee of Human Rights Watch (HRW) hosted its annual Voices of Justice event at Lotusland, raising $900,000 for the work of HRW. HRW Executive Director Tirana Hassan addressed the gathering, highlighting the organization's importance in the face of rising autocratic rulers. HRW has been actively involved in investigating the October 7 attacks in Israel and Israel's assault on Gaza, aiming to minimize harm to civilians and build a case for justice. HRW is known for its expertise in open-source investigation techniques and technologies, including the use of AI to expose the lies of autocrats. Lama Fakih, HRW's Middle East and North Africa Division Director, discussed the team's efforts to phase out fossil fuels, protect vulnerable communities affected by climate change, and defend climate rights activists. HRW aims to shed light on the abuses of the fossil fuel industry and the complicity of producing countries in perpetuating these abuses. A recent HRW report on Cancer Alley in Louisiana exposed the severe impact of industrial air pollution on the community, particularly affecting Black communities. The Santa Barbara Committee of HRW plays a crucial role in raising awareness and financial support for HRW's mission, organizing events and inviting HRW researchers to speak with supporters. HRW, which operates in over 100 countries with more than 600 staff, relies solely on private donations and does not accept government funding [e9359787].