Amnesty International, Eastern PA

Amnesty International, Group 347, Minutes for 24 March, 2008 Meeting

In Attendance: Mary M., Bill B., Karen B., Bill F., Hans W., Ed S., Mike P., Maria W., Tony M.

Treasurer’s Report: February 1, 2008 Beginning Balance: 1,143.54
Total Deposits: 30.00
Total Debits: 248.60
Ending Balance: 924.94

There were 3 checks written:
1006 $60.60 to Mary Mesaros for Stamps
1007 $50.00 Gratuity to Moravian Church Janitor
1008 $138.00 to Allentown Group for Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser

• Ed will call all non-dues paying members to inquire if they are still interested in membership
• Part of Group 347 went to local US Senate offices to ask for support of Darfur
• Karen sent follow-up letters to the Senators & called them, but no reply was received
• Hans gave an update on the Darfur situation journalist Nicholas Kristof has said that Southern Sudan may become “Africa’s Next Slaughter”
• The San Francisco Chronicle will run a two page ad on April 4 asking China to “Extinguish the Fire in Darfur”, the emphasis is now on China to save Darfur
• Karen had 2 letters:
• The first to Sudan concerning the Death Sentences imposed on 9 Men and One Boy in the murder of Mohammed Taha, a newspaper editor. Their confessions were extracted by torture
• The Second letter is on the behalf of Kakule Kahemu age 16, he’s a former child soldier in the Democratic Republic of Congo who is now in prison.
• Maria passed out a list on upcoming Death Penalty Action speaking engagements
• The Georgia Supreme Court voted against a new trial for Troy Davis despite there not being any material evidence & 7 of the 9 witness have now recanted. He now has one more appeal left, before the US Supreme Court. Right now there are letters before Davis’ parole board asking for clemency.
• Mary gave an update on the situation in South Africa and the spread of HIV many women fall victim because they cannot refuse their partners or get them to use condoms.
• Tony gave a report on China he had a letter supporting Tibet, group members debated if the the term Genocide may be applied to Tibet
• Thanks to Tony’s daughter delivering her DVD player the group view a 60 Minutes report about rape as a weapon in the Congo conflict

Friday, April 4, 2008
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Support the Chinatown group at their upcoming Bake Sales!

Khmer Art Gallery
319 N 11th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
7:00 pm

1032 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, April 13, 2008
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

On the National Mall between 12th and 14th Streets, Washington DC

Five years ago a crisis began in Darfur.  In that time, hundreds of thousands of people have died, millions have been displaced, and children have grown up in the middle of this conflict.  Five years is five years too many.

On Sunday, April 13th, people from around the world will take time to learn more about what is happening to the millions of displaced people and what they can do to stop the crisis.  Amnesty International will be hosting a Global Day for Darfur exhibition on the National Mall in Washington DC and we need your help to make our efforts successful.

Go to this page for more information, or email GlobalDayForDarfur@gmail.com

Friday, March 7, 2008
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Projects Gallery
629 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia

The Chinatown Amnesty International group will be selling a variety of cookies, cupcakes and banana bread at the Projects Gallery. Proceeds will benefit the work of the chapter.

This Friday, March 7, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, the Chinatown Amnesty group will be holding a bake sale at the Projects Gallery. Please stop by and pick some up treats such as cookies, cupcakes and banana bread. Proceeds benefit the work of this great AI chapter.

Projects Gallery
629 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia 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

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
7:00 pm

1032 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA