Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights ( formerly the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights , or RFK Center ) is an American nonprofit human rights advocacy organization . It was named after Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 , a few months after his assassination . The organization works to support recipients of the RFK Human Rights Award , and supports investigative journalists and authors through the RFK Book and Journalism Awards . It is based in Washington , D.C . The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial was originally established as a non-profit organization in Washington , D.C. , in October , 1968 . The Kennedy family and friends looked to memorialize Robert Kennedy 's public service following his assassination on June 5 , 1968 , in Los Angeles , California . Fred Dutton , a long-time friend and Kennedy ally , was named executive director , and Peter B. Edelman , a member of Kennedy 's senatorial staff , became associate director . The chairman of the executive committee was Robert S. McNamara
his assassination
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights