April 28, 2009 meeting of Group #531 (Allentown)
Posted May 20th, 2009 by Dan | Allentown
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