Amnesty International, Eastern PA

Amnesty International supporters in Bethlehem held a vigil on May 15 in support of Troy Davis. Thanks to Dan Laxar, Allentown group coordinator and PA legislative coordinator, for sending these pictures.

Email Allentown Group 531: djlaxar [at] gmail.com
Email Bethlehem Group 347: norberry [at] fast.net

May Meeting Special Event: Case File Manager introduces/reviews Jessica Garcia dossier

Monthly Meeting Activities Include:

Updates/Reports by…
Human-Rights-in-the-News Archivist
Death Penalty Specialist
Liaison to National Religious Campaign Against Torture
High School & University AI Groups
Amnesty Area Coordinator

Monthly “Actions”
Letters and petitions on behalf of prisoners of conscience

Other Activities Include:

Quarterly Film Night Events
Tabling/Public Speaking Opportunities

DIRECTIONS:
Magnolia Grill
[in the Chester County Book and Music Company]
The Chester County Book & Music Company is located at the intersection of Route 202 and Paoli Pike in the West Goshen Center, West Chester PA. Exit at the Paoli Pike ramp from Route 202, and you will find the West Goshen Center directly to the right of the exit ramp. For point-to-point directions, refer to that specific feature at Mapquest.com.

DATE & TIME
Third Wednesday each month
7:30 - 8:45 PM

Email Chester County Group 342: jeffrey.singleton [at] comcast.net

Group #531 (Allentown, PA) met on April 28 with four members in attendance. Those present reporting sending 31 letters on human rights issues in the last two month cycle.

Karen Berry and Dan Laxar reported on their respective meetings with U.S. legislators during the National lobbying effort in early April. (Karen met with Sen. Specter’s office and Dan with Rep. Holden). This effort concerned accountability for past abuses of detainees in U.S. custody.

Karen brought a letter concerning an Individual at Risk in Burundi, which we agreed to send as individuals. Tony Marino updated the group on the situation in Gaza/Israel, which we then discussed.

Dan summarized the recent AIUSA report “Jailed with Justice,” on the current state of conditions for those who are detained on immigration issues. Dan provided a letter to Sec. Napolitano on this problem, which the group members will send individually.

Dan also brought a letter on the humanitarian situation in Darfur, following the response of Sudan’s president to his indictment on crimes against humanity by the ICC. The letter was addressed to three different recipients with influence in the region, and will be sent by the individual members.

Dan distributed flyers for the upcoming fund-raiser at Friendly’s Restaurant in Allentown. Finally, we discussed the screening of “Torturing Democracy,” which we hope will take place in June or early July.

Email Allentown Group 531: djlaxar [at] gmail.com

AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
May 13th, 2009

ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. HOPE FOR HUMANITY
In this issue
1. Highlight: Special Focus Case Rally
2. Take Action: Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
3. Opportunities
- Get Connected to MARO On-line and on Twitter
- Film Available on Juan Melendez
- Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. Local Events
- Local Events for Troy Davis
- June is Torture Awareness Month
- Tiananmen Demonstration
6. Volunteer Opportunities
- SAC
- Apply to be part of the RPG

Read more »

From the AIUSA Blog:

“We’re happy to report that American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi was freed from prison in Iran!

Roxana had been given an eight-year prison sentence on trumped up charges of “espionage” following a brief closed door trial in Tehran last month. Amnesty International had issued an urgent action calling for her release. Over 26,000 messages were sent to the Iranian government demanding her release.

Thanks to all who took action with us. While Roxana may be free, there are still countless other prisoners of conscience languishing in prison cells around the world. Please take a moment to take action on their behalf so they can join Roxana in freedom.”

AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
May 6th, 2009
ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. HOPE FOR HUMANITY

In this issue
1. Highlight: End of 100 Days Event Success!
2. Take Action: Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
3. Campaign Updates
- Counter Terror With Justice Update
- Mother’s Day Card Action
4. Opportunities
- Film Available on Juan Melendez
- Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. National Events
- Special Focus Case - Rally For Filep and Yusak
- Troy Davis Day of Action
6. Local Events
- June is Torture Awareness Month!
- Tiananmen Demonstration
7. Volunteer Opportunities
- Student Area Coordinator
- Regional Planning Group
- Maryland State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator

Read more »

AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 29th, 2009
ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. HOPE FOR HUMANITY

In this issue
1. Highlight - Mixed Messages from President Obama After 100 Days
2. Take Action - Ensure Justice for Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu!
3. Campaign Updates
- Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
- SVAW Mother’s Day Card Action
4. Opportunities
- Evaluate Core Action and Win Amnesty Merchandise!
- Film Available on Juan Melendez
- The Resolutions Review Committee Wants to Hear From You!
- Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. National Events
- End of 100 Days Action
- SFC Rally For Filep and Yusak
6. Volunteer Opportunities
- Student Area Coordinator
- Apply to be part of the Regional Planning Group

Read more »

It is always difficult to post bad news, but often necessary in dealing with death penalty cases. Last weekend, I posted a summary and sample letter for the Urgent Action issued for ‘Aisha Ghalib. Sadly, I just learned moments ago that she was executed on April 19.

From Amnesty’s website:
‘Aisha Ghalib al-Hamzi was executed on 19 April 2009 for the murder of her husband; all seven of her children had refused to pardon her. In cases of Qisas (retribution in kind) the relatives of the victim have the power to seek execution, request compensation or grant a pardon freely.

No further action is requested from the Urgent Action network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.

AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 22nd, 2009

In this issue
1. Highlight: Maryland Passes Freedom of Association and Assembly Legislation
2. Take Action: Take Action for Mother’s Day
3. Campaign Updates
- Death Penalty - Troy Davis
- Stop Violence Against Women
4. Opportunities
- The Resolutions Review Committee Wants to Hear From You!
- Attention Amnesty Student Groups, Please Re-register to Remain an Official Group for 2009-10
- Amnesty Activist publishes a book
- Join the Special Focus case Street Team!
- Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. National Events
- Special Focus Case Rally
- 100 Days Action
6. Volunteer Opportunities
- Student Area Coordinator
- Apply to be part of the Regional Planning Group
Read more »

On April 18 in Tehran, Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was convicted of unspecified “espionage” and sentenced to eight years in prison after a brief closed-door trial. (See the Urgent Action file) A reporter for NPR, Roxana Saberi was previously accused of continuing to work as a reporter after her press credentials were revoked. Amnesty has been following her case ever since she was first detained on January 31.

Roxana is one of several individuals with dual citizenship whom authorities in Iran have accused of threatening national security, since the U.S. Congress approved $75 million in funding for “supporting democracy” in Iran.

Amnesty International calls for Roxana Saberi’s immediate release as she is considered a prisoner of conscience.

A sample letter is below. Please send appeals before June 1. Thank you.

Free Roxana Saberi

UPDATE: For another perspective on this case, you can also check out the article from Human Rights Watch.