Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young Warns Freedom Requires Constant Vigilance

The civil rights icon says photographs from the past are a reminder that 'freedom is not free'.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In a speech at the launch of a project to digitize 1.8 million Civil Rights Movement-era photographs in Atlanta, former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, 93, warned that the liberties won during the 20th century are under threat and must be constantly protected. Young said the photographs capture the 'dangers, toils, and snares' of the past and could reflect a modern America where many fail to realize that 'freedom is not free'.

Why it matters

Young's words of caution come at a time when many believe hard-fought civil rights are facing new challenges. The event aimed to preserve the photographic archive of Ernest C. Withers, which contains 1.8 million images from the Civil Rights Movement, of which less than 1% has been digitized so far. Young and other leaders stressed the importance of remembering the past to understand the present and continue the fight for progress.

The details

During the event, Young discussed his relationship with law enforcement, saying the civil rights movement never viewed the police as enemies, even at the height of the struggle. He also encouraged the audience not to be discouraged by challenging situations, noting that problems often lead to opportunities, as evidenced by his tenure as Atlanta's mayor and his push to host the 1996 Summer Olympics.

  • The event took place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Andrew Young

A 93-year-old former U.N. ambassador and civil rights icon who warned that the liberties won during the 20th century are under threat and must be constantly protected.

Ernest C. Withers

A photographer whose archive of 1.8 million images from the Civil Rights Movement is the focus of the Legacy Line initiative to preserve and digitize the collection.

Andre Dickens

The current mayor of Atlanta who discussed the importance of preserving these visual historical artifacts and led the room in a moment of silence and a call-and-response of Jesse Jackson's 'I am somebody' chant.

Jesse Jackson

The civil rights leader who died earlier on the day of the event, at the age of 84.

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What they’re saying

“You just look at the picture. Just look at it. It could be Minnesota. It could be Atlanta. It could be Chicago, could be Phoenix, it could be anywhere in America and anywhere on the planet where people don't realize that freedom is not free.”

— Andrew Young, Former U.N. Ambassador (Georgia Recorder)

“This is not a study of the past. This is reminding you of how we got to where we are … I still remember and cherish many of those moments, because it reminds us how far we've come, but it should also remind us that we can go even further if we have the same vitality, energy and vision that you see in these photographs.”

— Andrew Young, Former U.N. Ambassador (Georgia Recorder)

“Don't let anybody make you lose your temper. He said, 'your mind is the most powerful weapon you have.'”

— Andrew Young, Former U.N. Ambassador (Georgia Recorder)

What’s next

The Legacy Line initiative will continue its efforts to preserve and digitize the 1.8 million photographs in the Ernest C. Withers archive, with the goal of making this important historical record more accessible to the public.

The takeaway

Young's powerful words serve as a reminder that the hard-won freedoms of the past must be vigilantly protected, and that the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement continue to resonate in the present day. The preservation of these photographic archives is crucial to understanding history and inspiring future generations to keep fighting for progress.