Human Rights First Welcomes Bishop Garrison
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today welcomed Bishop Garrison as its next director of National Security Outreach and of Veterans for American Ideals. Garrison, who is an Army veteran and West Point graduate, recently served as interim executive director of the Truman National Security Project.
“Human Rights First is uniquely placed at the confluence of human rights and national security, promoting peace, stability, and American ideals through the protection and support of refugees and asylum seekers. I’m proud to now be part of their legacy,” said Garrison. “Likewise, Veterans for American Ideals is poised to create unified change in an increasingly partisan United States. Veterans are exalted across the political spectrum, which gives us the opportunity to champion the principles that best represent our nation.”
Prior to joining the Truman National Security Project, Garrison served as an appointee in the Obama Administration at the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Homeland Security. Garrison spent five years as an officer in the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty in Iraq. Garrison will direct Human Rights First’s partnerships with members of the military, national security, and intelligence communities and will lead the organization’s project, Veterans for American Ideals, a nonpartisan movement of military veterans who advocate American leadership on human rights.
Garrison succeeds Scott Cooper who served in the national security outreach role and founded Veterans for American Ideals. Under his leadership the veteran group has grown to over four thousand veterans and community partners across the United States. Prior to joining Human Rights First, Cooper spent a career in the Marine Corps. He flew the EA-6B Prowler, serving five tours in Iraq, two in Afghanistan, one in Europe, and one in the Western Pacific. Cooper was named as one of We Are the Mighty’s Mighty 25: Influencers Supporting the Military Community in 2018.
“Bishop is the perfect fit for Human Rights First and Veterans for American Ideals. He brings leadership and experience working across the aisle that will appeal to veteran and non-veteran alike,” said Cooper. “Founding and leading Veterans for American Ideals has been one of my proudest achievements, I’m thrilled that Bishop is stepping into my role.”