“Torturing Democracy” to be shown in Bethlehem
Posted September 18th, 2009 by April | Bethlehem
“Torturing Democracy”, a documentary on U.S. interrogations in the war on terror, will be shown at 7 p.m., September 30 at Central Moravian Church’s Christian Education Building in downtown Bethlehem. This evening of film and discussion is sponsored by Amnesty International Group 347 of Bethlehem.
Dr. Christian Rice, visiting assistant professor of Philosophy and Religion at Ursinus College, will moderate the discussion following the showing.
The 90-minute documentary examines how coercive interrogation methods were used by the CIA and then adopted for military interrogations at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq. Amnesty International USA is sponsoring showings of the film across the country as part of its “Counter Terror with Justice Campaign”, to help stop the use of torture in American’s fight against terrorism. Amnesty International is calling for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the use of torture in America’s “war on terror” and for those responsible to be held accountable.
This documentary is particularly relevant since in late August US Attorney General Eric Holder opened a “preliminary review” of whether CIA operatives broke the law in their use of coercion when interrogating suspected terrorists after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Bill Moyers of the Bill Moyers Journal says, “You’ll see and hear some things hard to bear but you’ll also meet some government insiders who refused to go along, who stood up and said, ‘This is wrong.’”
A discussion of the pros and cons of calling for an investigative commission will follow the film. “We are very pleased to share this film with the Moravian community and to have Dr. Rice guide the follow-up discussion,” says Karen Berry of the Amnesty group which has been meeting at Central Moravian since 1998.
Refreshments will be served. The Christian Education Building is on the Church campus between Church, Market and New streets. Access to the building is from New Street, a half block north of the Bethlehem Library, on the left. Call 610-866-2655 for more information. All are welcome.
Troy Davis Bethlehem vigil pictures
Posted May 25th, 2009 by Dan | Allentown, Amnesty News, Bethlehem
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.
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Bethlehem Amnesty fundraiser a success – thanks!
Posted April 15th, 2009 by April | Bethlehem
Many thanks to all who were able to support Bethlehem Amnesty group 347 at Friendly’s Restaurant Family Night last night. The group earned $121 from dinners and take-outs and $28 in donations. Many group members came out, as well as friends and former members.
Members of the Bethlehem group will also be visiting the offices of Senator Specter and talking to his district assistant, Justin Porembo, in Allentown on April 22. They have a 10 am appointment and will meet beforehand to prepare. Please contact Karen if you are interested in going along.
Tomorrow! at Lehigh – panel on the death penalty and religious perspectives
Posted April 1st, 2009 by April | Amnesty News, Bethlehem
Tomorrow afternoon, LV CASK (Lehigh Valley Committee Against State Killing) and PA-Amnesty International are hosting an interactive discussion about the death penalty and different religious perspectives.
Where: Maginnes 260, Lehigh University
When: April 2
Time: 4pm
Cost: Free – open to the public
Refreshments will also be provided. If you have any questions please contact CalvinJohn Smiley, Pennsylvania death penalty abolition coordinator, at cjs719@gmail.com
Death Penalty and Religion Panel Flyer [Word format]
Bethlehem Group March Meeting Report
Posted March 25th, 2009 by April | Amnesty News, Bethlehem
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP 347: MONDAY 3/23 /09 7-9:00 PM!
April 14, Tuesday—Fundraiser –come to dinner at Friendly’s Family Restaurant between 5 and 8—we get 10 percent—we need 100 customers—3099 Wm. Penn Highway (Plaza). Bring friends!
Guests: Calvin Smiley—PA Death Penalty & Lara Boffey and Arlette Ngoubene of Lehigh “Women of Liberia: Fighting for Peace ” more of this DVD next meeting.
1. Dan Laxar called for members to join Dr. Mike Sinclair of the Allentown AI group ASAP (610-439-6150) to help lobby in early April local offices of US senators and Rep. Dent. The issues are the stemming improper methods for fighting terrorism.
2. Calvin Smiley, PA Death Abolition Coordinator has a major push this week with programs at Lehigh University—please support. PA has the 4th largest death row population. NM abolished it this month; now 15 states have no penalty. He expects a circuit court ruling on GA’s death penalty case Troy Davis soon.
3. A 100 days petition- closure of Guantanamo, ban on torture, independent inquiry into interrogation practices for President Obama was signed by all present and mailed on 3/24.
4. Letters went to Sec. of State Hillary Clinton on Gaza, (as in January) and to the Chinese Prime Minister on the imprisonment of Shi Tao, arrested in 2004 for e-mailing about Tiananmen Square anniversary. Tony Marino
5. Lara Boffy of Lehigh University asked members for interviews for her study of AI in her Social Movements Class. She will attend the AGM this weekend.
6. Richard LaDuke presented an urgent letter for a death penalty case in the Caribbean.
7. Sarah Snider, recently returned from presidential elections in El Salvador described how she and Joe DeRaymond saw voting as international observers in the elections where the FLMN won over the Arena party, it’s the first upset in the history of El Salvador. (Also call her at 997-3886 if you will need 94 cent stamps for the meeting. )
8. A letter from our Group 341 supporting US legislation for prevention International Violence Against Women mailed was sent to Sen. Specter recently. A letter was distributed for Democratic Republic of Congo’s Justine Masika Bihamba (coordinator for Synergy of Women for Victims of Sexual Violence).
9. Pam Bauman and Nancy Kelley accepted actions for Equatorial Guinea—for the group.
10. Darfur: Note the op-ed piece by Hans Wuerth published 3/22. The LV Darfur Coalition met Monday with Rep. Dent. April is Genocide Prevention Month, through the Genocide Prevention Network.
Agenda for Bethlehem group meeting tomorrow night
Posted March 22nd, 2009 by April | Amnesty News, Bethlehem
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP 347: MONDAY 3/23 /09 7-9:00 PM!
Central Moravian Church, Christian Ed. Bldg., Basement Door, Bethlehem
Draft AGENDA
1. Welcome, Introductions, Pass the Hat, signatures for the Obama 100 days petition- closure of Guantanamo, ban on torture, independent inquiry into interrogation practices
2. Lobbying week in April with Dan Laxar—counter terrorism
3. Tony Marino—Gaza & China letters
4. Calvin Smiley—Death Penalty, Troy Davis and New Mexico’s Abolition of DP
5. Richard LaDuke: Death Penalty Haiti
6. Report on Elections in El Salvador and Joe DeRaymond—Sarah Snider (just back from El Salvador)
7. International Violence Against Women legislation—
a. Group 347 letter to Sen. Specter.
b. letter to Democratic Republic of Congo–Justine Masika Bihamba is coordinator for Synergy of Women for Victims of Sexual Violence (Synergie des femmes contre les violence sexuelles), a women’s human rights organization working in the DRC
c. DVD—“Women of Liberia: Fighting for Peace”
8. Lara Boffy, Social Movements Class, study of AI members
9. Darfur—Karen
10. Your vote on AGM resolutions (we’ll review 3 or 4 of these resolutions to get your opinions)
Local Dues–$10 annual—mail to Karen Berry at 3505 Dartmouth Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18020). Join AIUSA for $25 annually (AIUSA, PO Box 98234, Washington, DC, 20077-7015 )
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 25 (local poverty) and April 1 (creation—the environment). Dinner and discussion at Central Moravian Church—Start time is 6 p.m. Call Mike Pragheimer—610-867-4665
March 27-29: Annual General Meeting in Boston—Karen & Lara Boffey are attending
April 14—Fundraiser – just come to dinner at Friendly’s Family Restaurant between 5 and 8—we get 10 percent—we need 100 customers.—3099 Wm. Penn Highway (Plazas)
Mid-April—Gaza Talk, AI Group at Moravian College, Instructor Faramarz Farbad—more later
April 28—Allentown AI 531 Group—St. Timothy Evan. Church—140 S. Ott St.
May 4—Friendly’s Family Restaurant; 2952 Lehigh St., Allentown-across the street from the Brass Rail, near the intersection of Oxford Dr. (24th St. in Allentown) and Lehigh St. May 5—Moravian Academy AI Group, last meeting, 2: 45 p.m. presentation to their group of book on child soldiers. Call Karen if you would like to attend.
May 26 (TUESDAY) – 7 p.m. Next AI Group 347 meeting
Death Penalty Events at Lehigh University –Maginnes Hall, Room 101 comments, concerns about any of these events, particularly directions please do not hesitate to contact me, Calvin John Smiley, SDPAC-PA : cjs719@gmail.com
March 24, 7 p.m. Film “Juan Melendez-6446.” Mr. Melendez was on death row in Florida for seventeen years before being exonerated
March 26, 7 p.m- Jim Moreno- Legal Perspective. Mr. Moreno is a Federal Public Defender who strictly handles capital cases. His practice is based out of Philadelphia where he defends many people in the 3rd District Circuit courts.
April 2, 5 p.m.- Panel– The Religious Perspective with.Chaplain Dr. Lloyd Steffen, Director of Hillel Society Rabbi Seth Goren, and Catholic Chaplain Father Wayne Killian,
April 20, 4 p.m. Teach In featuring students perspectives of working on the death penalty. Students CalvinJohn Smiley, Luke Miller, Claire Sullivan and Jacqueline Scully will offer their perspectives of why they became involved in working on the death penalty, what they have gotten out of this experience and what they would like to see happen in the future with the death penalty and prison system in the U.S.
Bethlehem Amnesty group to wrap gifts for the holidays
Posted November 10th, 2008 by April | Bethlehem
Amnesty International Group 347, Bethlehem, is preparing for its annual gift wrapping fundraiser. Group members will be wrapping gifts at Barnes & Noble at Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall. They will be there on Friday, December 12 from 9am to 10pm, and again on Friday, December 19 from 9am to 6pm. Please stop by their table to show your support of Amnesty International!
Also, the group still needs to fill a few shifts – please contact them if you can pitch in.
Lehigh County groups to work at Dorney Park to raise money for AI
Posted September 9th, 2008 by April | Allentown, Bethlehem, Student Groups
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!
AI Bethlehem members briefed on human rights in Colombia and Mexico
Posted July 9th, 2008 by April | Amnesty News, Bethlehem
I’ve been away for a week, so I will be catching up on posting lots of news from area Amnesty International groups today. First, Karen Berry wrote the following about a briefing of members of AI Bethlehem.
Amnesty International Staff Member Renata Rendon gave an informal briefing to a few members of Group 347 about Amnesty work in Colombia and Mexico. She said that Amnesty has partnered with the Fellowship of Reconciliation group in its important work to get the Colombia government to challenge the relationship of the military and paramilitary groups in harassment of trade union groups, peace communities, women’s rights groups and others. She discussed how Amnesty has been working with US legislators regarding funding of US aid to Colombia as well as AI verification meetings with Colombiian officials. Renata was among Amnesty members who met with the Colombian vice president late last year in efforts to verify information about human rights violations and improvements.
She said AI work in Mexico continues arduously but that research and support of human rights in Mexico is extremely difficult because of corruption at all levels. She said US funding to Mexico was legislated after difficult negotiations regarding the inclusion of human rights language in the agreement with Mexico in May.
Her informal remarks came at a breakfast meeting with Tony Marino, Joe DeRaymond, Sarah Snider and the writer. Renata visited Joe and Sarah this weekend. Both Joe and Renata were in Colombia during the time of the massacres in the peace community, San Jose de Apartado. This spring 15 Colombia army soldiers were arrested for participating in the killings. The Colombian government originally blamed the killings on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (the FARC). In the last 10 years, about 170 members of the San Jose de Apartado community have been assassinated despite the efforts of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to protect them.
Joe also mentioned the perilous situation in El Salvador which he says is ripe for violence depending on the outcome of elections early next year. He said youth leader Hector Antonia Vasquez was stabbed to death in May following his acquittal on terrorism charges for protesting the privatization of public water supplies.
Jacqueline Murakete speaks on Rwandan genocide (Lehigh University, Bethlehem)
Posted April 19th, 2008 by April | Allentown, Bethlehem, Student Groups
April 21, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
Jacqueline Murekatete is coming to speak at Lehigh University this Monday at 7pm in Sinclair Auditorium. She survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide and now works for the nonprofit organization Miracle Corners of the World. She has made it her mission to inform others about what it is like to survive such an event and what needs to be done to prevent future genocides.
Thanks to Amnesty International at Lehigh University for this news.