Amnesty International, Eastern PA

HIGHLIGHT

Police Accountability Forum: LGBT Issues Addressed in Chicago

On June 19th, AIUSA hosted a very successful community forum on police accountability, focusing on police abuse of LGBTs in Chicago. AIUSA teamed with 20 cosponsoring local organizations to address the issue and brainstorm next steps to ignite activism demanding accountability for police abuse. 100 Chicagoans attended and participated in the forum, almost all of whom signed postcard appeals to the Mayor of Chicago.

This forum was particularly timely following a recent incident of homophobic CPD abuse against a gay man. This instance fits into a larger pattern of CPD abuse. AI’s findings in its Stonewalled report in 2006 indicate that even in serious cases of police abuse, Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers are seldom held accountable. These abuses include the use by police officers of sexually explicit and abusive language, threats, and physical violence.

Learn more about our LGBT work

TAKE ACTION

Help Free Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage

Patrick Kennedy (D, RI), has written a Dear Colleague letter to members of Congress, calling on them to sign on to a letter written to the President of Indonesia regarding the case of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage. The letter asks for Mr. Karma and Mr. Pakage to be immediately and unconditionally released from prison. They were jailed in May 2005 for raising a flag of independence.

Please call or write your representative, asking them to sign on to the letter to the President of Indonesia. Find your representative’s contact info

REMINDER: We’re nearing the end of our summer drive for petitions calling for the release of Filep and Yusak. Please return any remaining completed petitions to MARO by Friday, July 18th. We will be holding an action outside the Indonesian embassy at the end of July and will take the petitions with us. Please contact Jen Horwitz at 202.544.0200 x344 or jhorwitz@aiusa.org with any questions.

Expert Organizing Tip: Everyone loves food, so incorporate food in your next fundraiser. Have a chocolate or wine and cheese tasting. Host a dinner full of ethnic food, or just provide pizza and snacks at your event.

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

AIUSA Sues the CIA: CIA Fails to Release More Than 7000 Documents Relating to Secret Detention, Rendition, and Torture Program

On the evening of June 25th, 2008 Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), and the International Human Rights Clinic at NYU School of Law (NYU IHRC) filed a motion to require the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to make certain information public and to provide more details about all the documents withheld.

AIUSA and the partner groups are concerned about the CIA’s use of classification arguments in its attempts to prevent the disclosure of illegal or embarrassing conduct in its secret detention, torture, and rendition programs. The lawsuit was filed in June 2007 under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), after repeated attempts to obtain information from the CIA had failed.

Read more about the lawsuit

OPPORTUNITIES

Regional Planning Group: Give Your Input

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Group (RPG) is preparing for its July monthly meeting. In an effort to connect the RPG’s work with the work that you are doing in your groups, we’d like to invite you to take a look at the notes from last month’s meeting and send any comments or suggestions to RPG co-chair Jonathan Cohen or Regional Director Folabi Olagbaju.

See the notes from last month’s call
Apply for a position on the RPG [PDF]

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.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL EVENTS

Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference: Register Online!

This year activists like you will be meeting up in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia to learn more about AIUSA, network with other activists, and engage around this year’s theme: “Educate to Activate: Building a Human Rights Movement for All”.

Learn more about the conference
Register at the reduced early bird rate

LOCAL EVENTS

Burmese Scholar in York, PA

The York PA chapter of Amnesty International will be hosting Dr. Tun Lin Moe, a Burmese scholar, who will speak about human rights in his native country. The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Where: Cobblestones Restaurant and Sports Emporium in the Loft, 205 South George St., York, PA, 17403
When: Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 7 PM

For more info contact: Kathleen Lucas, Co-Coordinator York Amnesty International, 717-755-3031, AmnestyYorkPA@comcast.net

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Help Plan the AGM: Be Part of the Annual General Meeting Planning Committee (AGMPC)

The AGMPC serves as the advisory committee for AGM programming, including speakers, theme, and program sessions. The AGMPC consists of one committee member from each AIUSA region, a member of the National Resolutions Committee and the Chair of AIUSA’s Board of Directors. Each regional member serves a two year term. Committee members provide input and ideas, play an important role in regional promotion of the AGM, and provide logistical support onsite.
We are currently accepting applications for the Mid-Atlantic region. For more information and a copy of the application email: agm@aiusa.org. Please submit your application by Thursday, July 24, 2008.

Help Abolish the Death Penalty in PA: Apply to be the State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator

Become a volunteer leader in Pennsylvania’s campaign towards abolishing the death penalty. We are looking for a volunteer to work with Amnesty International USA’s Death Penalty Abolish Campaign team (DPAC) and the Regional Office to coordinate AIUSA’s work against the death penalty in Pennsylvania.

Responsibilities include:

• Communicate with, provide information to, and facilitate work of AIUSA local and student groups, and individual AIUSA members in Pennsylvania related to the death penalty.
• Communicate with, provide information to, and work collaboratively with PA’s AIUSA State Leadership Team which is comprised of Area Coordinators, Student Area Coordinators, Legislative Coordinators, and the SDPAC.
• Serve as a liaison to relevant state-based coalitions in coordination with the Field Organizer.
• Communication with the Regional Office and DPAC in a timely fashion about death penalty related legislation and activities in Pennsylvania.
• Monitor upcoming executions and other death penalty cases -particularly those involving such factors as possible innocence, mental retardation, mental illness, or such defendants as women, LGBT, or foreign nationals – and alert the Regional Office and DPAC.

For more information (including a complete role description and outline of responsibilities), or if you are interested in applying, please contact Jen Horwitz at 202-544-0200 ext. 344 or jhorwitz@aiusa.org. Applications are due by August 8th. The applicant chosen for the position will be asked to attend the annual national training for SDPACs to be held in the Washington, DC area August 22-24.

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

HIGHLIGHT

Guantanamo Cell Leaves DC: Thousands of People in the Nation’s Capital Visited the Cell

Sunday evening Washington, DC said goodbye to our replica of a Guantanamo detainee’s cell. In it’s time on the National Mall thousands of people saw the cell and more than 2,000 people took the time to step inside the cell and learn more about the human rights violations that our country is committing. While not everyone who passed by the cell agreed with our message, we did meet support from military attorneys, activists, government employees, tourists, veterans and even people who had never heard of Guantanamo.

We want to send a big thank you to all of the dedicated activists who spent hours in the hot sun to spread the word about our Counter Terror With Justice campaign.

More information about what happened at the cell
Information about how to become involved with AIUSA’s work to close Guantanamo

TAKE ACTION

Help End the Crisis in Zimbabwe

The government of Zimbabwe’s campaign of terror and voter intimidation has drawn on for months. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, swayed by the massive violence lodged against civilians, had to withdraw from last Friday’s run-off presidential elections against President Robert Mugabe. Amnesty International has repeatedly called for an end to human rights violations. For this once-prosperous country to move toward stability, Zimbabwe must hold perpetrators accountable and establish human rights monitors. Call on governments in Zimbabwe’s neighboring countries to protect human rights in Zimbabwe.

Take action
Learn more about what is happening in Zimbabwe

Expert Organizing Tip: Get your members more involved by assigning officer positions. When people have specific tasks, they are more likely to be willing to help and get the job done. They will also feel empowered. Some officer positions examples are: Event Coordinator, Publicity Coordinator, or New Member Coordinator.

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Counter Terror With Justice: Activist Letters Make A Difference

Thank you for your Holiday Card Action messages to Sami al-Hajj which we were able to relay to him on Friday. Sami told us that he received 10,000 letters while he was in Guantanamo and apologized that he was not able to reply to each of you individually. He told us that when he received the first letter he knew he was part of the AI movement. He asked us for the following message to be relayed to all AI members.

“Myself, my son Mohammed and my wife Asma thank all AI members for supporting me and for supporting human rights. We will work hard with them together until we achieve peace for all people in the world. I will never forget their help and I will pray for them. I ask them to keep praying for me also. I will be glad if they continue their relationship with me, are in touch with me in my life and help me with my new job.”

Sami al-Hajj has a new job with al-Jazeera where he will be working as a News Producer on Liberties and Human Rights Affairs. AI will remain in contact with him and will be exploring ways in which we can support him and work with him in the future.

Thanks again to everyone for your work and dedication on this and every case.

OPPORTUNITIES

Regional Planning Group: Give Your Input

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Group (RPG) is preparing for its July monthly meeting. In an effort to connect the RPG’s work with the work that you are doing in your groups, we’d like to invite you to take a look at the notes from last month’s meeting and send any comments or suggestions to RPG co-chair Jonathan Cohen or Regional Director Folabi Olagbaju.

See the notes from last month’s call
Apply for a position on the RPG [PDF]

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.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL EVENTS

Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference: Register Online!

This year activists like you will be meeting up in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia to learn more about AIUSA, network with other activists, and engage around this year’s theme: “Educate to Activate: Building a Human Rights Movement for All”.

Learn more about the conference
Register at the reduced early bird rate

LOCAL EVENTS

Burmese Scholar in York, PA

The York PA chapter of Amnesty International will be hosting Dr. Tun Lin Moe, a Burmese scholar, who will speak about human rights in his native country. The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Where: Cobblestones Restaurant and Sports Emporium in the Loft, 205 South George St., York, PA, 17403
When: Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 7 PM

For more info contact: Kathleen Lucas, Co-Coordinator York Amnesty International, 717-755-3031, AmnestyYorkPA@comcast.net

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Help Plan the AGM: Be Part of the Annual General Meeting Planning Committee (AGMPC)

The AGMPC serves as the advisory committee for AGM programming, including speakers, theme, and program sessions. The AGMPC consists of one committee member from each AIUSA region, a member of the National Resolutions Committee and the Chair of AIUSA’s Board of Directors. Each regional member serves a two year term. Committee members provide input and ideas, play an important role in regional promotion of the AGM, and provide logistical support onsite.

We are currently accepting applications for the Mid-Atlantic region. For more information and a copy of the application email: agm@aiusa.org. Please submit your application by Thursday, July 24, 2008.

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

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!

You are invited to a special event in Media PA - the Philadelphia area Global Write-a-thon! It will be held on Sunday, December 9, from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Media Community Center, 301 N. Jackson St., Media.

In recognition of International Human Rights day, we will join thousands of people across the United States and all around the world as they participate in Amnesty International’s Global Write-A-Thon - Amnesty’s largest and most renowned letter-writing event.

Now you can register online if you plan to come to the Write-a-thon. Please register - this will help us be prepared with enough letter-writing materials (and food) for all!

Here are some of the other surprises we are working on for this event.

• Philadelphia attorney Susan L. Burke will speak to us about her work on lawsuits filed on behalf of Abu Ghraib torture victims as well as victims of the Blackwater shootings in Baghdad.
• Kathleen Lucas will tell us the story of her friend, Sameh Khouzam. Sameh, a member of AI York Group 438 and subject of an Urgent Action, fled religious persecution and torture in Egypt and sought asylum in the U.S. Instead he has been imprisoned in York and is at risk of deportation. Sameh’s life is in danger if he is returned to Egypt. Come and help us write letters and cards both to him and on his behalf.
• Musical entertainment - details soon…
• Children’s activity - you are invited to bring your family!
• Refreshments - again, details soon…

Here are some general directions to Media. The community center is in the municipal building at Third and North Jackson streets, and there is a parking lot adjacent. It’s a few blocks from the Jackson Street trolley stop, and a little over half a mile from the Media SEPTA station (R3 line). If you are coming by train, let us know and we can help provide a lift from the station to the community center, if needed.

Serkalem Fasil was freed from an Ethiopian jail in April, following extensive campaigning by human rights NGOs including Amnesty International. Her ordeal was recognized recently when she picked up a Courage in Journalism award from the International Women’s Media Foundation. She has decided to give the prize money to Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists, which also campaigned for her release.

Read the full story here.

AIUSA issued 5 Urgent Action files yesterday, on behalf of people in Brazil, Iran, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Current postage rates for a letter: within USA $.41, to Canada and Mexico $.69, all other countries $.90

Express Concern for Fear of Imminent Execution in Iran (UA 271/07) - Soghra Najafpour is currently believed to be in hiding. If she is taken into custody, she could face imminent execution for a murder committed when she may have been only 13 years old. Please send appeals by December 4.

Halt Fear for Safety for Indigenous Families in Brazil (UA 270/07) - Around 50 Guajajara families, in the remote Arraiboia reservation in the central west of Maranhao state, are at risk of attack from local gunmen allegedly contracted by illegal loggers. Please send appeals by December 4.

Protect 3 Unnamed Men from Torture in Saudi Arabia (UA 273/07) - AI has received reports that 2 men have been sentenced by a court in al-Baha in Saudi Arabia to 7,000 lashes each for sexual intercourse. A third man was said to have been sentenced to 450 lashes for drug related offenses by the same court. Please send appeals by December 5.

Stop Fear of Torture for 5 Men in Tunisia (UA 15/07) - Ousama Abbadi, Mohammed Amine Jaziri, Ramzi el Aifi, Oualid Layouni, & Mahdi Ben Elhaj Ali were allegedly tortured by the prison guards in Mornaguia Prison around 16 October. Some of them need urgent medical treatment. AI fears that may be subjected to further torture/other ill-treatment. Please send appeals by December 4.

Defend Journalists from Death Threats in Mexico (UA 260/07) - Journalists for El Imparcial del Istmo, a regional newspaper based in Oaxaca, have been receiving death threats, apparently as a result of the newspaper’s coverage of a drug-trafficking gang’s activities in the state. 3 of their colleagues were shot dead earlier this week. Please send appeals by November 22.

AIUSA issued 4 new Urgent Actions on Friday, on behalf of persons in Mexico, Turkey, Colombia and Yemen. For all of the cases below, please send appeals by November 30, 2007.

Aid Prisoner of Conscience Magdalena Durán in Mexico (UA 268/07) - Mazahua Indigenous activist Durán has won a third federal injunction against her detention, but authorities may continue to avoid releasing her.

Halt Incommunicado Detention of Tekes in Turkey (UA 265/07) - Ihsan Tekes, an alleged member of the armed separatist group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was reportedly detained by the Turkish Army on September 19. He may be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

Condemn Death Threats of Journalist in Colombia (UA 267/07) - Journalist Hollman Morris, director & presenter of the investigative television program CONTRAVIA, has received email death threats; AI fears that his life could be in danger.

Protect Mohammed from Fear of Torture in Yemen (UA 266/07) - Former Guantánamo detainee Mohammed Ali Nasser Mohammed was handed over by the US to the Yemeni authorities on October 1. He hasn’t been allowed to see his lawyers and is in grave danger of torture. It is not clear why he is being detained.

Four new Urgent Actions were issued yesterday evening, on behalf of persons in Belarus, Iran, and Iraq:

Rectify Ossanlu’s Medical Concern in Iran (UA 08/06) - Without urgent hospital treatment, the Evin prison doctor has told Mansour Ossanlu he may lose his sight within 2 weeks. The prison authorities have claimed, falsely, that he has been given treatment. Ossanlu is the Head of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and is considered a prisoner of conscience. Please send appeals by November 27.

Denounce Imminent Execution of 3 Men in Iraq (UA 160/07) - ‘Ali Hassan al-Majid, Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Ta’i & Hussain Rashid al-Tikriti, all former senior officials under the government of Saddam Hussain, were sentenced to death for their roles in the so-called Anfal campaign of 1988 in which some 180,000 Iraqi Kurds died. Please send appeals immediately.

Save Koktysh from Forcible Return to Belarus (UA 264/07) - Igor Koktysh is threatened with extradition from Ukraine to Belarus, where he allegedly was tortured in an effort to have him admit to the murder of a close friend’s relative. There, he may also face an unfair trial which could result in the death penalty. Please send appeals by November 27.

Protest Torabi’s Imminent Execution in Iran (UA 263/07) - Ali Mahin Torabi has been convicted of a murder committed when he was 16 years old and is now at risk of imminent execution. He is held in Reja’i Shahr prison in Karaj. His death sentence could be carried out at any time. Please send appeals immediately.

One new Urgent Action case was added today, October 16:

Halt Fear of Torture for Htay Kywe & 5 Burmese Protesters (UA 262/07)

Six people, including prominent activists Htay Kywe, Mie Mie (also known as Thin Thin Aye) and Aung Thu, were detained in the early hours of 13 October in the city of Yangon as part of a continuing crackdown by the military authorities. The three are believed to be the last high-profile members of the 1988 Generation Students group who were still at large. There is no information on where they are being detained. Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of all six people, who are at grave risk of torture and ill-treatment.

Please write on behalf of these six people. Send letters by November 26, 2007.

Jules from the University of Pennsylvania group writes:

Our vigil for Burma, co-promoted with Penn Awake, event received coverage in the Daily Pennsylvanian, raising awareness about the ongoing tragedy in Burma, with input from the same Burmese students (Aung, May, Aung, and Yee) that visited us at our General Body Meeting on Wednesday, October 3rd. We received close to 140 signatures on both paper petitions, which were sent to their respective destinations yesterday. Please go here for updated actions.

Meanwhile, we can keep the momentum going by protesting at the UN and Chinese consulates in New York. A trip will be organized with sufficient interest at the next meeting. We will also continue to look into commercial ties, specifically the trade of Burman rubies.

Update: Penn’s vigil was also covered in their paper! Students march to support monks, The Daily Collegian, October 4, 2007