Amnesty International, Eastern PA

Saturday, March 1, 2008
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Where:
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
For more information or to RSVP visit: http://www.idealist.org/en/event/102737-327

This year’s Western & Central PA State Meeting will have two sections:

• Our morning section will be a chance to meet members from local and student groups throughout the area, learn more about our priority campaigns, and participate in state action planning.
• Our afternoon session will focus on building student engagement in the area - if you’re in high school, college, graduate school, or are a young professional, this is a great opportunity for you to meet other youth activists, build your activism skills, and connect with others to take action on important human rights issues.

When:
Session 1: 10am - 2:30pm (arrive about 15 - 20 minutes early for registration)
Session 2: 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Location:
University of Pittsburgh, William Pitt Student Union
Rooms 511, 527 and 542

Directions:
To get the best directions from your location, use a mapping internet site with the following address as the end location: 4200 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Public Transportation:
If coming from downtown Pittsburgh, take a city bus (almost any will do, and if unsure, ask the bus driver, they can be very helpful!) into Oakland and get off on the corner of either Fifth and Bigelow or Forbes and Bigelow (depending on what bus route you have) and the Union will be on that corner. It is across from the Cathedral of Learning (the huge, gothic structure) and it made from orange brick.

Parking:
Metered and street parking places surround the Union and may be available for this weekend event, or may not. The best option for parking might be the Soldiers and Sailors Museum parking garage, located directly across from the Union on Fifth Ave. at: 4141 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Following is the agenda for Group 531’s regular bimonthly meeting on Feb. 26, 2008.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP #531
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church
140 S. Ott St., Allentown, PA
February 26, 2008, 7-9 PM
Group Coordinator: Dan Laxar (570-668-5753); Treasurer: Phyllis Sinclair
Dues: $10/year (or what you can afford)

1. Sign in, letter (phone call, email) count, “pass the hat, for the room, introductions
2. Eastern/Central PA State Meeting report—Dan
3. Lobbying report—Phyllis and Bill
4. Treasurer’s report–Phyllis
5. International Violence Against Women Act (S.2279)—petition, issue brief, flyers
6. Post card handout
7. Urgent Action—Individual at Risk in Turkey<
8. AIUSA National Priorities—discussion
9. MARO Membership Survey results—Dan
10. Letter from Republic of Colombia
11. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights DVD for loan

Upcoming Events
3/7-3/14—IVAWA call-in to Sen. Specter
3/24—Meeting of Group #347 (Bethlehem, PA), 7-9 PM
4/25-427—Annual General Meeting, Crystal City, VA (across the river from DC)

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
7:00 pm

1032 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

Amnesty International activists from both student and local groups are invited to attend the 2008 Eastern Pennsylvania State Meeting, Saturday, February 23 at Swarthmore College. The day offers activities for experienced activists and newer members alike.

The event is free and lunch will be provided. Please register here to help us plan for attendance. Thanks!

DRAFT AGENDA

10:00 – 11:00am Welcome & Opening Plenary

• Our opening plenary session will focus on AIUSA’s work on the International Violence Against Women Act and how Pennsylvania activists have a unique opportunity to lead action on this issue

11:00am – 12:15pm Workshop Block 1

• Lobbying
• How to Talk About Amnesty

12:15 – 12:45pm Lunch

• Networking opportunity for attendees

12:45 – 2:00pm Workshop Block 2

• Activist Development: Recruitment and Retention
• National Week of Student Action

2:00 – 4:15pm State Planning

• Overview of AIUSA Priority Campaigns
• Discussion of what resources Pennsylvania has to offer on each of these campaigns and what opportunities exist for action
• Outlining 2008 action plan for each priority campaign

4:15 – 4:30pm Closing

On December 22 and 23 the Allentown and Bethlehem Groups 531 and 347 combined their fundraising efforts by wrapping books at the Barnes and Noble in the Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall. The total raised for their two days was $276.07 which the two groups shared equally. Former Bethlehem Group Coordinator, Karen Berry, has always spearheaded the yearly fundraiser with great success.

The Bethlehem Group also wrapped gifts on December 16 in the Sage store at the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley. Despite terrible weather members Nancy Kelley and Tony Marino still netted $65.00.  

Friday, April 11, 2008

For the 13th consecutive year, Amnesty International Local Group 133 in Somerville, MA is organizing Get on the Bus (GOTB), a trip to New York City for one full day of human rights action and education. GOTB will be held Friday, April 11 in NYC.

2008 Actions:

Darfur: Call for International Justice and Accountability (IJA) ~ GOTB activists will focus on the need to lobby the government of Sudan to bring individuals responsible for human rights violations in Darfur to justice.

Special Focus Case: Fathi el-Jahmi (Libya) ~ Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience, who has been detained solely for the peaceful expression of his political views. We will be calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Fathi el-Jahmi.

Side Action: Bhopal ~ To show our continued commitment to the survivors of the 1984 chemical disaster in Bhopal, a small group of GOTB activists will gather at the Indian Consulate to demand the Government of India compel Dow Chemicals to appear before the Indian courts.

More information forthcoming at the GOTB Website

Saturday, February 23, 2008
10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Details and online registration forthcoming…

Tuesday, February 12, 2008
7:00 pm

1032 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA