Amnesty International, Eastern PA

Group #531(Allentown, PA) met on Oct. 27 with five people in attendance, including one new member. The group reported sending 14 letters in the last two months, not including those of our two, most prolific, letter writers who were unable to attend.

After sharing some of the successes of AIUSA in the last two months, we discussed our upcoming fund-raiser wrapping gifts at Barnes and Noble with Group #347. We also discussed the Global Write-a-thon; it is our understanding that the new Muhlenberg College AI group will be hosting an event for the area.

We each sent letters to the President and our members of Congress reiterating the country’s need for an independant, impartial investigation into the abuses committed by the past administration in its “war on terror.” Finally, we went over the priority campaigns suggested by AIUSA for the coming year.

Group #531 (Allentown) met on Tuesday, Aug. 25, with five members attending. Those present reported sending more than 60 letters in the past two months, on behalf of human rights victims and in support of advancing AI’s human rights goals.

Group Coordinator Dan Laxar reported that the treasury is healthy, but we need to plan for funding for future expenses and to support AIUSA, particularly since our most lucrative fundraiser, the annual Dorney Park “Trick-or-Treat Trial” will not take place this year. In the near term, we agreed to make a big push, with Group #347 (Bethlehem, PA), on our annual holiday gift-wrapping at Barnes and Noble in December.

Dan shared AI successes since our June meeting. We agreed to send individual letters to the DRC and Colombia in support of human rights defenders who are endangered in those two countries. We will also be sending individual letters to Sri Lanka on behalf of five medical doctors who were detained as they left the “no fire zone” at the end of the hostilities there. The doctors had been providing the only medical care available there, and in view of their protracted detention, so far without charge, we will convey AI’s concern for their well-being.

Karen reminded the group of the upcoming screening of “Torturing Democracy,” to be followed by a discussion of the film and the pros and cons of an independant investigation of torture under the last U.S. administration. The discussion will be moderated by a Dr. Christian Rice, professor of Philosophy and Religion at Ursinus College. The event will take place on Sept. 30, at 7 PM, in the Christian Education Bldg. of Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, PA.

Group #531 (Allentown) met on June 23, with five members in attendance. Those present reported sending 34 letters in support of human rights during the last two months.

Dan gave the treasurer’s report and noted that the Friendly’s Family Fun Night fundraiser netted more than $55 for the group’s treasury.

Dan had received a copy of the 2009 AI Annual Report from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, and Florence Applebaum volunteered to present it to the Allentown Public Library for their reference section.

Tony Marino had letters addressed to the government of Iran expressing concern for human rights violations following the recent elections there, and letters to Sec. Clinton concerning the our government’s delivery of weapons to the U.S. stockpile in Israel, weapons which, in the past, have been released to the Israeli government. The letter noted that, there having been some evidence of human rights violations committed during the hostilities in Gaza, the release of these weapons to Israel would violate the Leahy law. The members present at the meeting will send these individually.

Dan had letters for the group to the government of China in regard to a married couple who have been detained there, apparently for being Falon Gong practitioners. He also had letters to the government of Vietnam which has arrested a lawyer who had questioned the constitutionality of Vietnam’s “state subversion” law. The lawyer had also apparently been targeted for his defense, in the course of his legal profession, of other lawyers who had been arrested under the same law. The group members will also send these letters individually.

Our next meeting will be on August 25. Please join us if you can. Dan Laxar, Coordinator, Group #531

Amnesty International supporters in Bethlehem held a vigil on May 15 in support of Troy Davis. Thanks to Dan Laxar, Allentown group coordinator and PA legislative coordinator, for sending these pictures.

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.

Group #531 (Allentown, PA) met on Feb. 24, with five members in attendance. Those present reported sending 38+ letters and postcards on behalf of AI during the last two months. In addition, the members came prepared with six different letters they had drafted, with copies to be sent out by everyone. The topics covered included: the “100 days” campaign (sent to the President), Darfur (to the brokerage houses who handle the portfolios of companies doing business in Sudan), human rights as a priority for the State Department (to Sec. Clinton), and women’s rights (to Sec. Clinton), to describe a few. Dan briefed the group on the upcoming Congressional lobbying week, beginning April 9, which will focus on the Counter Terror with Justice Campaign. Though events between now and then will determine the specific asks for our representatives, a likely topic will be the setting up of an independant, impartial investigation into the human rights abuses in the U.S.’ conduct of the “war on terror,” such as torture and illegal reditions. Dan also informed the group of the availability of the 90-minute DVD, “Torturing Democracy,” for a possible screening in our area. Bridgeworks, a local gathering spot that has the facilities to host such a screening, was suggested as a possible venue–it is also very nearby two of the local colleges. Dan will look into this. Finally, we discussed the May 5 fundraiser at Friendly’s Family Restaurant. Those who are unable to attend meetings of the group are encouraged to turn out for dinner and/or ice cream to support our group and our cause.

On Dec. 23, 2008, four members of Group #531 (Allentown, PA), including one new member, attended the group’s regular bi-monthly meeting. Those attending reported sending 40 letters and postcards in the past two months. The group discussed the recent Mid-Atlantic Regional conference, including the resolutions passed and the workshop on the proposed Integrated Strategic Plan for the 2010-2016 cycle. Members of the group participated in a outreach/fundraiser, held in conjunction with Group #347 (Bethlehem, PA), at the local Barnes and Noble bookshop, where we talked about AI’s purpose with many customers and raised $60 in donations. The treasury of Group 531 being in good condition, the group agreed to subsidize a membership in the national organization for those who are regular attenders of the group meetings, and who have difficulty paying for the membership on their own. The group’s next meeting will be February 24, 2009, 7-9 PM, at St. Timothy.

Though bad weather kept some people away, six Lehigh Valley volunteers participated in a Global Write-a-Thon event on December 6. Together we sent 23 letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders. Pictured are four of the participants, hard at work.

Four Lehigh County area Amnesty International groups will be working once more at Dorney Park to raise money for Amnesty.

On Saturday, September 27, from 10:45 am to 7:00 pm, ten Amnesty activists from Bethlehem Group 347, Allentown Group 531, Freedom High School, and Moravian Academy will be working at Dorney Park on the Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail. The volunteers will don costumes, give out candy to youngsters and help with mask-making. In return they receive $500, which these groups are contributing to our AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Region.

Thanks to all of these volunteers and their respective groups for their work!

Group #531 (Allentown, PA), met on Aug. 26 with nine people in attendance, including two newcomers. Members reported sending 48 letters in the last two months. Florence Applebaum shared a letter to the editor she sent to the Morning Call, which was published on the 23rd, concerning the use of torture at Guantanamo and elsewhere. Many opportunities for action were discussed, including the Summer Solidarity Action, the cases of the Uighurs imprisoned in Guantanamo, and the deaths of immigrants in custody of the Department of Homeland Security, which were reported in the N.Y. Times and the Wall Street Journal. Also discussed were two fundraisers which are in the process of being organized. A copy of AI’s 2008 Annual Report was given to members Mike and Phyllis Sinclair, who presented it to the Allentown Public Library for their reference collection (see picture).

The agenda for the meeting follows.

- Dan Laxar (with thanks to Bill Frederick for chairing the June meeting while I was on vacation).

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP #531
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church
140 S. Ott St., Allentown, PA
Agenda for August 26, 2008, 7-9 PM

Group Coordinator: Dan Laxar (570-668-5753); Treasurer: Phyllis Sinclair
Dues: $10/year (or what you can afford)

• Sign in (letter/postcard/phone call—count), Introductions, “pass the hat” for the facility
• Recap of last meeting (+ government contact directory distribution) Bill F.
• Treasurer’s report—Phyllis S.
• Dues—national and local
• Fundraisers—“Halloween Haunt” at Dorney Park (Sept. 27) and Friendly’s Family Fun Night
• Summer Solidarity Action (formerly Summer Postcard Action) and postage distribution
• Counter Terror with Justice Campaign (formerly Denounce Torture)-Bill F. and Florence A.
• Immigration issues—Erol U.
• Annual Report donation to Allentown Library (need two volunteers)/ Annual Report CD available for loan to group members
• Letters-to-the-Editor—Florence on Guantanamo
• AIUSA Strategic Update

Upcoming
Sept. 22—Group #347(Bethlehem) meets 7-9 PM, Central Moravian Church
Sept. 27—“Halloween Haunt” fundraiser at Dorney Park
Oct. 19—Dan’s birthday
Oct. 28—Next meeting of Group #531 (Allentown) 7-9 PM
Nov. 14-16—Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Harper’s Ferry, WV
Dec. 10—Anniversary of the UN UDHR