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.

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.

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

HIGHLIGHT

Your Letters Helped Free a Political Prisoner: Reverend Bienvenido Samba is Free!

Amnesty International welcomed the release of 14 prisoners of conscience in Equatorial Guinea. Reverend Bienvenido Samba from Equitorial Guinea, a pastor who was an outspoken critic of government treatment of minorities, was released.

Since 2002, Amnesty members have worked steadily on his behalf, publicizing his plight and sending thousands of letters calling for Reverend Samba’s release. Reverend Samba was the subject of ongoing campaigning by the local group in Allentown, PA and in December 2007, individuals sent messages of encouragement and support to Reverend Samba through AIUSA’s Holiday Card Action.

Reverend Samba’s case is a clear illustration of the power your letters and actions hold - the affects are far reaching and can change the lives of people in faraway corners of the world like Equatorial Guinea.

Read the full press release
Participate in our summer postcard action to show your solidarity with other individuals at risk

TAKE ACTION

Stop Executions of Children in Iran

84 known juvenile offenders currently await execution in Iran. The total number could be much higher. Iran is one of the only countries left in the world today that still executes children and child offenders in violation of its commitments to international treaties banning the practice.

Teenager Mohammad Hassanzadeh was hanged on Tuesday. However, Mohammad Feda’i whose execution was postponed, will live for another month. Feda’i has been on Iran’s death row since the age of 17 and after an unfair trial, with inadequate representation and allegations of a tortured confession, Feda’i’s life will continue to hang in the balance.

Take action for Feda’i and other juvenile offenders

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Supreme Court Supports Habeas Corpus for Gitmo Detainees

In a crushing blow to the Bush Administration, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that Guantánamo detainees have a right to challenge their detention before a legitimate court. The court’s decision is a stark indictment of wrongdoing at Guantánamo.

Still, the decision will not close Guantánamo. It will not keep the administration from transferring detainees to countries known for torture. And it will not stop the Bush administration from finding ways to circumvent the law.

Ask Congress to uphold the Supreme Court’s decision

Expert Organizing Tip - Make the most of the summer heat by asking your local ice-cream shop to donate a percentage of their profits to your group on a day when the temperature tops 100 degrees. Then, to show your appreciation and cool off, go to the shop and buy yourself two scoops to celebrate.

OPPORTUNITIES

Guantanamo Cell on MySpace

The Guantanamo Cell replica that is touring the country now has its own page on MySpace! Become its friend and keep updated with its travels!

Summer Postcard Action: Write Prisoners of Conscience Letters of Support

For many people, summer is a time for vacations, picnics and recreation. But for prisoners of conscience or those who defend human rights in many countries, summer brings no relief from the potential danger and sense of isolation they may face. By simply sending a postcard, however, you can help support these women and men. On Amnesty’s website, there is information about some of these prisoners.

Help Shut Down Guantanamo Bay

We need your help to put the pressure on Washington to close the Guantánamo Bay Detention Facility and to bring individuals responsible for crimes to account and ensure that they are given a fair trial and punished accordingly.

By meeting with U.S. Representatives and Senators who are both very supportive of closing Guantánamo, and those who might have different views, we will raise the chorus of individuals working for closure of the facility, and we will ensure that the facility is closed in the proper manner and we will also quell those voices who would have the human rights abuses persist.

Participating in a Delegation visit will take a time commitment of only about 3 hours, and entails reading background materials, participating in both a practice meeting and the actual meeting with your elected official. Please note that the official meeting with your elected official’s office is likely to be held during normal business hours during the week of June 30 - July 3, 2008.

Join a delegation

See What the RPG is Up To: Read the Regional Planning Group’s Call Notes

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Group (RPG) is a volunteer body which acts as a voice for the membership (local and student group and action team members, network members, volunteer leaders, and individual members) and as an advisory board to the Regional Office. Each month the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Group (RPG) has a call to discuss important issues facing the region.

Read the minutes from the RPG’s June call
Contact the RPG about issues for next month’s call

Pretty Bird Woman House Supply Drive

Help get necessary supplies to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
Amnesty International’s Midwest Regional Office is organizing a supply drive for Pretty Bird Woman House (PBWH) through the end of June in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Women’s Health Month. PBWH is an emergency shelter that provides temporary housing, advocacy support, and educational programs for women on the Standing Rock reservation who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

PBWH was highlighted by AIUSA’s Maze of Injustice report last year. Native American and Alaska Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than other women in the United States in general. They face considerable barriers to accessing justice A complex maze of tribal, state and federal jurisdictions allows perpetrators to rape with impunity and in some cases even encourages assaults. This is why these women are a top priority of Amnesty International’s Maze of Injustice campaign, and PBWH is a pillar to the program as one of the few facilities set up to help Native American.

AIUSA groups and members are being asked to hold supply drives for the items needed. Get more information about how to host a supply drive and what supplies are needed.

Items should be mailed DIRECTLY to PBWH by the end of June along with a card so PBWH will know who is sending them the much needed supplies.

Address:
Pretty Bird Woman House
211 First Ave W
McLaughlin, SD 57642

All donations are tax deductible.

LOCAL EVENTS

Love Lessons from Abu Ghraib

The improbably bravery and beauty of victims of torture in Abu Ghraib prison is told through the eyes of Jennifer Schelter, founder of Yoga Shelter. Inspired by interviews of Iraqi prisoners of war, these tales uncover the best of friendship, justice and art.

When: Saturday, June 21st at 7pm
Where: Virginia Evans Theater at the Please Touch Museum, located at 210 N 21st St. Philadelphia, PA.
For more info visit: www.yogaschelter.com or www.phillyfunguide.com.

Local Group 531 Bi-Monthly Meeting

Join the Allentown, PA group for their meeting on Tues, June 24th from 7-9pm. It is located at: St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St. Allentown, PA 18104. For more info contact: dlaxarai@excite.com

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Fall Internships With Amnesty International

Attention all those interested in a fall internship!
Did you know that the Amnesty International office in Washington, DC offers internships for summer, fall, and spring? Now is the time to start thinking about applying for the internship. The deadline to apply for the fall term is June 30th, 2008.

This is a highly competitive internship program, so we recommend you start preparing early.

More information about the requirements for the DC internship program, and other programs in the DC office offering internships

For more resources and information for the Mid-Atlantic Region visit: www.amnestyusa.org/MARO
For questions or comments please contact us at aiusama@aiusa.org

Our June 24 meeting will be held as originally scheduled, 7-9 PM. Bill Frederick has volunteered to chair the meeting in my absence. A draft agenda follows. Please let Bill know if there are additional items you would like to hear discussed. Dan Laxar, Group #531 Coordinator

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP #531
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church
140 S. Ott St., Allentown, PA
Meeting of June 24, 2008 - 7-9 PM
Group Coordinator: Dan Laxar (570-668-5753); Treasurer: Phyllis Sinclair
Dues: $10/year (or what you can afford)

AGENDA

Sign in (letter/postcard count), “pass the hat” for the facility, introductions
Recap of last meeting
Report on the Treasury- we need to decide how we’ll spend our money: postage for our letters? Other ideas?
Summary of resolutions adopted at the 2008 Annual General Meeting
Denounce Torture Campaign - two actions
Government Directory handout - courtesy of the Lehigh County League of Women Voters
Prepaid postcards for domestic mailings on AI issues
DVD on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights available for loan - a concise discussion by Irene Kahn on why we undertook this work, and three illustrative cases which demonstrate that necessity; plus a Q & A with Ellen Dorsey. Approx. 50 minutes total running time
AI’s Annual Report on DVD may be available for loan at the meeting
Celebrate the release of our Prisoner of Conscience, Rev. Bienvenido Samba Momesori, from prison in Equatorial Guinea! Bring a treat or drink to share!

Upcoming

June 30-July 3 - AIUSA In-district Lobby Week on Guantanamo Bay/torture issues
July 28 - Group #347 (Bethlehem, PA) meets at Central Moravian Church
July-August - Summer postcard action
Nov 14-16 - Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Harper’s Ferry, WV

AI Allentown Agenda-06-24-08.doc

From Dan Laxar, Allentown PA group coordinator:

Hi Folks! I received a call tonight from Tom Gill, AI’s Country Specialist for Africa, who informed me that Rev. Bienvenido Samba, Group #531 (Allentown)’s adopted prisoner of conscience has been released! His release comes as a pardon for some 25 prisoners in Equatorial Guinea, 14 of them POCs, on the occasion of the birthday of the President of the country. AI has been in touch with Rev. Samba, and he is apparently in good health, and elated to be free. He told AI that he was aware that we were working on his behalf, both because he received letters via his lawyer from AI activists and because he heard his name mentioned on the Spanish World Wide Service (shortwave radio, I believe) as an adoptee of AI. He thanks all of you who wrote letters, and sends his deep gratitude.

Often we write letters which seem to disappear into a “black void” of uncaring. And while we can’t know for sure that our letters had an effect on Rev. Samba’s imprisonment, it seems likely that they were part of the reason his name was included on this pardon. Congratulations to all of you!