Amnesty International, Eastern PA

The Bethlehem and Allentown Groups encourage supporters to see the film “The Devil Came on Horseback,” showing October 7-13 at the 514 Theatre in Allentown.

“The Devil Came on Horseback” explains how Brian Steidle left the marines to look for a job and found a calling. As an observer for the African Union in the Sudan, Steidle spent six months watching as a nation consumed itself — as the Sudanese Arab-controlled government enacted systematic genocide against its black African citizens in Darfur.

Complete details here: Film: The Devil Came On Horseback

Sounds like the Bethlehem and Allentown groups had wonderful success with the Trick or Treat at Dorney Park fundraiser:

“More than 1,000 little kids got candy treats as our Amnesty group volunteers participated in the trick or treat trail at Dorney Park yesterday. Thank you to Jeanne Takas (who did special duty helping kids with art), Barbara Stearn, Bill Frederick, Nancy Kelley, Malika Brown, Ed Simons, Talia Katz, Pam Bauman, and Dagobert Mosquera. It was a beautiful day!!!

Thanks to their giving up a Saturday, the Allentown and Bethlehem Amnesty groups raised almost $500 for the organization. The money is sent directly to the D.C. office.

Best wishes,
Karen Berry”

Pennsylvania state Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator Maria Weick brought this news item to our attention, which could have a nationwide impact on the use of the death penalty.

“WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 — The Supreme Court agreed today to hear constitutional challenges brought by two death-row inmates in Kentucky, who assert that the state’s lethal-injection procedures amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

“The step could have the effect of postponing executions across the country scheduled to be performed by lethal injection, the method is used by nearly all states with a death penalty, as well as by the federal government.”

– Justices to Rule on Lethal Injections, The New York Times, September 25, 2007

From Karen Norvig-Berry, Bethlehem Group Coordinator

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP 347, 9/24/07 Meeting Report
NEXT MEETING 11/26

Please send support notes to: 1) Maureen Kademaunga, Zimbabwe National Student Union, P.O. Box 3951, Harare, Zimbabwe, and 2) Sakit Zahidaw, Dash karxanasi building 202, Boyuk Shor, Baku, rayon Neriman, Azerbaijan. (Write to Sakit Zahidaw in the Azeri language, “We are thinking of you! “Biz sizin haqqinizda fikirlashirik.” (Postage is 90 cents, even post cards.)

1. We extend a warm welcome to first-time attenders Mo George & Shannon and Murat Syma. We hope they join us again!
2. Members were urged to join the national organization in addition to supporting Group 347—giving them the quarterly magazine “Amnesty” & voting rights at the regional conference ($25 to AIUSA, PO Box 98234, Wash., D.C. 20077-7015). Group 347 will subsidize ($100) for attendance at the November 16-17 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Baltimore at the Best Western Hotel. The theme is exploring beliefs that we all hold that motivate our Amnesty work. (A flier was distributed with the agenda.)
3. Death penalty work (Maria Weick) is at a high point—the African nation of Gabon has abolished it, the UN expects to take up the issue, & recently Moravian Bishops endorsed its abolition, according to Mike Pragheimer. Faith groups are urged to discuss the topic the weekend of October 19th. Maria collected petition signatures for Troy Davis of GA whose death sentence is being appealed. About 15 letters were mailed to TN Gov. Phil Bredesin for Edward Harbeson, to have been executed today (9/26). He now has a stay of execution for a short period. Members also signed Maria’s letters to Israel about Gaza Sanctions and to the Hamas leadership about the quassam rockets hitting Israel. Both letters will be faxed.
4. Darfur information from Hans Wuerth painted a continuing bleak picture. The Lehigh Valley Darfur Coalition (which includes our group) lobbied Sen. Browne about PA divestment from pension money in Darfur. Hans, Tony Marino & Karen participated in a Northampton Com. College fundraiser on 9/14 for Darfur. Erol Ulucakli noted that NYT articles this week on Sudan mentioned oil & peacekeeping tensions.
5. On Colombia, Tony distributed letters to Assistant Sec.of State Christina Rocca about the Justice & Peace law in Colombia, which carries only an 8-yr. sentence for cases like the Mapiripan massacre where 100 paramilitary members killed 30 people and dumped their bodies, some still alive, in the Guaviare River.
6. Mary Mesaros, who will take AI leadership training this weekend in DC, had letters for both US senators on the women’s protection convention, CEDAW, which the US has not yet signed. Also, on Sept. 25, Phyllis Sinclair & Pilar Fritzinger lobbied the Sen. Specter’s Allentown office on this issue.
7. About 18 letters went to the President of the Central African Republic with a copy to the Embassy in D.C. about human rights violations by government forces. The deportation of Egyption Sameh Khouzam is being fought by a staff of attorneys. Khouzam fears torture if returned to Egypt. Amnesty supports him.
8. Guest speaker Rita Corriel, area writer & psychotherapist, says AI took a courageous step at its International Council Meeting in Mexico (Aug.) in supporting abortion rights in cases of sexual violence despite opposition from the Catholic Church. Our group had an animated discussion following her remarks. The article is on line in an 8/26 article found at CommonDreams.org. Rita joined Group 347.

9/29: Trick or Treat Fundraiser at Dorney Park (2 Volunteers needed & 2 back-up)
10/23 Tuesday: Allentown Amnesty Group at 7 p.m.—St. Timothy’s Church, Ott St.

From the MARO Weekly Update

Troy Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer in 1989; a murder he maintains he did not commit. There was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime was never found. Now 7 of the 9 non-police witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony. October 9th is Troy’s birthday and in celebration of this occasion we’re asking you to post a video birthday message for him on YouTube. Simply record a positive video of 60-seconds or less wishing Troy a ‘Happy Birthday’ while reaffirming to the state of Georgia that the global support network behind Troy believes fairness matters.

A few guidelines:

• Be lively and creative: sing it, rap it, play it, draw it, dance it, paint it, shout it from the roof-tops
• Keep messages positive and refrain from bad language and controversial statements that could be viewed as inflammatory
• After you’ve recorded this message – please post it on YouTube here and email it to troyvideo@gmail.com

From the MARO Weekly Update

Need help running a successful informational meeting? An informational meeting guide is available to you so that you can help others learn more about your group and how you represent Amnesty International.

Informational Meeting Guide (PDF format)

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
8:00 pm
The Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA

Amnesty International has been working on the case of Rev. Joseph Dantica. Rev. Dantica, a Haitian minister, sought asylum in the U.S. after receiving death threats. But instead, Rev. Dantica was put into detention and the 81-year-old was denied his medications. He died in detention.

Rev. Dantica’s niece, award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat, has just published a book on the subject. Her book, Brother, I’m Dying, centers around the stories of her own father, André and his brother, Joseph.

Edwidge Danticat speaks tonight at 8:00 pm at The Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, along with authors Edward P. Jones and Zakes Mda.

To send a letter requesting an investigation into Rev. Dantica’s case, please go here: Call for Disciplinary Action Surrounding Minister’s Death in Custody

Group 112 Monthly Meeting
September 27, 2007
AGENDA

1. Mission Statement & Introductions
2. Business
1. Introduction of April Zappaterrini, New Eastern PA Area Coordinator
2. Discussion of November and December Meeting Times
3. Update from the Philadelphia Leonard Peltier Support Group—Bette Adams
4. Update on Candle Fundraising Idea—Kevin & Erica
5. Tabling Event for December 10
6. Treasurer’s Report—Joe Burke
7. Archivist’s Report—Erica Vendetti
8. Other Issues of Interest to Group Members
3. Letter Writing
1. Iraqi Kurdistan POCs: David Loeb
2. Indonesia Special Focus Case: Joe Burke
3. Maldives POCs: Joe Burke
4. Other Letters

If you were unable to attend Group 112’s September 2007 meeting, but would like to sign and mail the action letters of the month, you can download them here:

• Group 112 09-07 - Indonesia Letters
• Group 112 09-07 - Letters to Filep & Yusak
• Group 112 09-07 - Letters to US Reps
• Group 112 09-07 - Maldives Letters
• Group 112 09-07 - Banned Books

Sunday, October 7, 2007
1:30 pm
4:30 pm
7:30 pm

Monday, October 8, 2007
7:30 pm

Tuesday, October 9, 2007
7:30 pm

Wednesday, October 10, 2007
7:30 pm

Friday, October 12, 2007
8:15 pm

Saturday, October 13, 2007
5:00 pm
8:15 pm

514 Theatre
514 North 19th Street, Allentown, PA

The Bethlehem Group encourages its supporters to see the film “The Devil Came on Horseback,” showing October 7-13 at the 514 Theatre.

“The Devil Came on Horseback” explains how Brian Steidle left the marines to look for a job and found a calling. As an observer for the African Union in the Sudan, Steidle spent six months watching as a nation consumed itself — as the Sudanese Arab-controlled government enacted systematic genocide against its black African citizens in Darfur.

On Sunday, October 7th at 1:30 pm, the film will be followed by a panel discussion.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
8:00 pm

The Clubhouse at Country Lights
5301 Neshaminy Blvd., Bensalem, PA