Joel Olson and his family in Spain

Joel Olson, an icon of human rights activism, died last week.  He was 45. 

Dr. Olson, a political science professor at Northern Arizona University and a major force in the Occupy Movement, died unexpectedly in England.  As reported in The Arizona Daily Sun:  

“Details on his death have not been released… 

Olson was spending the spring as a visiting faculty member at the University of Alicante in Spain.  He gave a lecture at the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England on Wednesday evening and died in Britain before returning to Spain. 

Olson is survived by his wife, three young children and extended family. His wife and children had accompanied him to Spain and arrangements are being made for them to come home”. 

Olson’s “Extended Family” went far beyond his relatives and personal friends.  In fact, he was part of the “Extended Family of Human Rights” in Arizona.  As evidenced by this speech at an Occupy Phoenix rally in November, Joel Olson was a passionate believer in protecting the rights of the 99%:  

Joel gained national attention with his book “Abolition of White Democracy” and his well-received essay “Whiteness and the 99%.” 

Plus, he was a major player in Arizona’s Repeal Coalition, an organization that has sought to bring down SB 1070 and other racially motivated legislation in this state. 

Joel was a good father, husband, and friend to us all.

May he rest in peace.