Blase Bonpane is an activist and author known for his work against human rights abuses, and against U.S. intervention in Central America. He is the Director of the Office of the Americas (based in Los Angeles), and Senior Research Fellow of the Washington, D.C.-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs. Bonpane's work has been recognized with a number of awards, including several from the American Civil Liberties Union and a Certificate of Commendation from the City of Los Angeles for his pursuit of peace in Central America.