Archive for September, 2007
Internship Opportunities at AIUSA MARO
Posted September 23rd, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
From the MARO Weekly Update September 13, 2007
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (MARO) works with AIUSA members in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia to mobilize and educate people, institutions and organizations toward ending international human rights abuses. MARO staff and interns develop volunteer structures, organize publicity efforts, and public speaking engagements, perform outreach to community organizations, and design and implement public education programs. MARO interns are involved in the general facilitation of the department’s work, but through their involvement they are also offered opportunities to become involved with other campaigns as well, such as the Women’s Human Rights Action Team and OUTfront.
MARO is looking for qualified candidates to work as interns with us in fall and spring. For more information email ic-dc@aiusa.org or check out our website.
Lobby Your Senator on the Treaty for the Rights of Women
Posted September 23rd, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
From the MARO Weekly Update September 13, 2007
It’s time to get delegations set up for our September lobby week to demonstrate grassroots support for the Treaty for the Rights of Women! Women across the world have used the Treaty to gain basic rights like the right to vote, the right to inheritance, and the right to education. Some Senators have been receiving constituent calls in opposition to the Treaty, however. That’s why we need to make sure that Senators are hearing loud and clear from us.
You can apply to lead a delegation here
Once you apply, the LC in your state should give you a call to coordinate with you and to help ensure that we have good coverage throughout the state. We’d like to have one delegation leader for each district office of each Senator. So hopefully all of you will lead or join a delegation near you! Contact Chris McGraw at 202.544.0200 xt230 or cmcgraw@aiusa.org if you have questions.
Darfur Global Petition: Walk about your school or neighborhood
Posted September 23rd, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
From the MARO Weekly Update September 13, 2007
October 24, 2007 is the CLOSE DATE for the current Darfur global petition! Our goal was 200,000 signatures and thanks to an exciting collaboration with the student-led 400,000 Faces Project, we have met this goal!!
The Project, started by students in 2006, quickly became one of the biggest and fastest growing student movements on Facebook. The 400,000 Faces Project will contribute all 400,000 photo signatures to the Global Petition for Darfur, far exceeding Amnesty’s goal of 200,000 signatures! There are 6 weeks left and only 50,000 more signatures to go to make it to half a million.
How can you help?
Organize a neighborhood or campus walk-about to raise awareness and promote the global petition!
Recruit 5 – 25 friends and activists to distribute information and action opportunities to 500 homes in your neighborhood or in your campus residence halls!
Register your walkabout group. To register, please send your name, local group/school, date of event, phone number and mailing address to: westcoordinator@aiusa.org and cc your field organizer.
When you register, you will receive by email instructions for organizing a walk-about in your neighborhood or on campus and you will receive by mail 500 door hangers for distribution.
Death Penalty Speakers for Your Group’s Event
Posted September 23rd, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
From the MARO Weekly Update, September 13, 2007
Is your group interested in expanding its efforts against the death penalty or simply helping to raise awareness about the death penalty? Consider organizing an event featuring someone who has personal experience with our fatally flawed criminal justice system.
Witness to Innocence is a group spearheaded by former death row prisoners who have been exonerated and released from death rows across the United States and who are now actively engaged in the struggle to end the death penalty. They have teamed up with Amnesty to do speaking events across the region
To learn more about how Witness to Innocence can help you organize an inspiring educational event featuring an exonerated former death row prisoner, please contact your field organizer and:
Monica Fauble
215-387-1831
witnesstoinnocence2@gmail.com
Volunteer Needed: Coordinator for Bethlehem Group 347
Posted September 23rd, 2007 by April | Amnesty News, Bethlehem
From the MARO Weekly Update September 13, 2007
Needed: A volunteer to coordinate the group activities and meetings of AI Group 347 which meets bimonthly at the Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA.
This job requires a dedication to and an understanding of the human rights mission of Amnesty International. The group members are middle-aged and older and have a variety of interests which they manage. They include: death penalty, Colombia and Central American, Darfur, and relevant current Amnesty actions. We have had two fundraisers, one as adult volunteers at Dorney Park, which earns $500 for AI, and gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble at Christmas. The meeting has had a formal agenda and follow-up notes. The current coordinator will help with the transition. The current group has been intact for 10 years.
UPDATE: The coordinator position has been filled. Thanks to Mary Mesaros, who will take over the coordinator position as of the new year.
2008 Annual General Meeting in Arlington, VA
Posted September 22nd, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
April 25-27, 2008
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington VA
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the yearly meeting of Amnesty International USA’s nationwide membership. This year, the AGM is being held in the Washington DC area, not too far from our own.
Please see the page below for the program schedule and online registration.
More information about the AGM
December 22 and 23
9 am -1:30 and evening on Sat. and all day on Sunday
More details will be added as this event gets closer.
Article on female circumcision in Egypt
Posted September 21st, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
Yesterday, the New York Times reported on the practice of female circumcision (called female genital mutilation, or FGM, by opponents) in Egypt (“Voices Rise in Egypt to Shield Girls from an Old Tradition,” September 20 2007). FGM has been practiced in Egypt for generations and is apparently still very common there today:
“For centuries Egyptian girls, usually between the ages of 7 and 13, have been taken to have the procedure done, sometimes by a doctor, sometimes by a barber or whoever else in the village would do it. As recently as 2005, a government health survey showed that 96 percent of the thousands of married, divorced or widowed women interviewed said they had undergone the procedure — a figure that astounds even many Egyptians. In the language of the survey, ‘The practice of female circumcision is virtually universal among women of reproductive age in Egypt.’”
However, they report that there are indications that opposition to this traditional practice is growing. The subject is no longer taboo in public discussion or in the news. The media is increasingly reporting on botched operations and deaths due to the procedure.
Amnesty International works to oppose FGM as part of its Stop Violence Against Women campaign. For more information, see the FGM fact sheet.
Agenda: Bethlehem Group 347 September 24, 2007
Posted September 20th, 2007 by April | Amnesty News, Bethlehem
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP 347 MONDAY 9/24/07 7-9:00 PM!
Central Moravian Church, Christian Ed. Bld., Basement Door, Bethlehem
DRAFT AGENDA
Special Guests: Rita Corriel (AI’s Reproductive Rights Policy) and Jessica Reuben (Lehigh University Senior)
- Introductions, letter count & “pass the hat”
- Treasurer’s report:—Gerry Tocchini
- Report and letter for Sameh Khouzam of Egypt—deportation.
- Rita Corriel: AI Reproductive Rights Policy from the International Council meeting in Aug.
- Ramadan Post Action for September: Maureen Kademaunga, Simbabwe National Student Union, P.O. Box 3951, Harare, Zimbabwe and Sakit Zahidaw, Dash karxanasi Building 202, Boyuk Shor, Baku, rayon Neriman, Azerbaijan In Azeri, “We are thinking of you!”– “Biz sizin haqqinizda fikirlashirik.”
- Maria Weick: Death Penalty actions including (including lobbying of State Reps. Reichley and Dally, moratorium approval by UU Church of the Lehigh Valley)
- Hans Wuerth on Darfur and Nancy Kelly on AI’s “Instant Karma” cd for Darfur (?)
- Mary Mesaros: Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women
- Chad: Letter
- Discussion of Regional Conference in Baltimore
- Local Dues–$10 annual. Join AIUSA for $25 annually
UPCOMING EVENTS
9/14: Darfur Fundraiser with Africa music and more at Northampton CC. Evening!
9/29: Trick or Treat Fundraiser at Dorney Park (2 Volunteers needed & 2 back-up)
10/19-20-21: Faith in Action weekend—Death penalty issues
10/23: Allentown Amnesty Group at 7 p.m.
11/16 thru 18: Regional Conference in Baltimore—reserve hotel by Oct. 25th for $99 rate
12/22 and 12/23: Barnes and Noble Gift wrapping, 9 am -1:30 and evening on Sat. and all day on Sunday
4/25-28/08: Annual General Meeting in Washington, D.C.
National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty
Posted September 20th, 2007 by April | Amnesty News
The National Weekend of Faith in Action (NWFA) is an opportunity for faith communities, interfaith groups, human rights activists, and others to examine the death penalty from a faith-based or values-based perspective. Set aside some time during the weekend of October 19-21 for an activity or event that focuses on the death penalty issue.
For more information, visit the NFWA page on the AIUSA website.