Philadelphia Amnesty International Meeting – Nov. 19
Posted November 13th, 2009 by April | Philly Center City
Agenda – Thursday November 19th
Amnesty International Philadelphia Chapter Meeting
7:00 pm at the Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square
- A speaker from the ACLU – detention of illegal immigrants
- Reports about last month’s events:
- The Friday noon Human Rights Luncheon on October 23rd featuring Gladys Monterroso from Guatemala
- Lobbying Senator Casey on November 19 on closing the Guantánamo Bay detention center; ratifying the international women’s human rights treaty; and human rights of immigrant detainees
- Report on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
- Planning for the Global Write-a-thon:
- We will participate during our December 17th meeting
- Ellal Aklilu will attend to talk on an Ethiopian prisoner of conscience, Birtukan Mideksa
- Write letters regarding human rights violations in Mexico; also some Amnesty International Urgent Action letters
Allentown Group October 2009 Meeting Recap
Posted November 11th, 2009 by Dan | Allentown
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.
Agenda for Chester County group meeting tonight
Posted May 20th, 2009 by Jeff | West Chester
May Meeting Special Event: Case File Manager introduces/reviews Jessica Garcia dossier
Monthly Meeting Activities Include:
Updates/Reports by…
Human-Rights-in-the-News Archivist
Death Penalty Specialist
Liaison to National Religious Campaign Against Torture
High School & University AI Groups
Amnesty Area Coordinator
Monthly “Actions”
Letters and petitions on behalf of prisoners of conscience
Other Activities Include:
Quarterly Film Night Events
Tabling/Public Speaking Opportunities
DIRECTIONS:
Magnolia Grill
[in the Chester County Book and Music Company]
The Chester County Book & Music Company is located at the intersection of Route 202 and Paoli Pike in the West Goshen Center, West Chester PA. Exit at the Paoli Pike ramp from Route 202, and you will find the West Goshen Center directly to the right of the exit ramp. For point-to-point directions, refer to that specific feature at Mapquest.com.
DATE & TIME
Third Wednesday each month
7:30 – 8:45 PM
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.
Minutes from Villanova Amnesty meeting April 14
Posted April 15th, 2009 by April | Amnesty News, Student Groups, Villanova University
Thanks to Gabe for this recap of the Villanova University Amnesty International meeting last night.
- Urgent action appeals were handed out and letters written concerning the case of three prisoners of conscience imprisoned in Zimbabwe despite their poor health.
- Several members of Amnesty received responses to the letters we sent to Senator Casey regarding the International Violence Against Women Act. Sen. Casey informed us that although he supports the legislation his hands are tied because the legislation expired on the expiration of the last Congress and the legislation has not been reintroduced. VUAI is looking into getting an appointment with Senator Casey to lobby him in person.
- VUAI is co-sponsoring the showing tomorrow night of The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers. It is produced by the same people who produced Invisible Children, which highlighted the kidnapping of children by the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group in Northern Uganda responsible for years of strife and misery. The showing will be from 6:00-7:00 PM in Bartley 1010, and admission is free. We hope to see you all there!
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.
Recap of Feb. 24 AI Allentown Meeting
Posted March 1st, 2009 by Dan | Allentown
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.
Agenda for June 24 Allentown Group meeting
Posted June 13th, 2008 by Dan | Allentown, Amnesty News
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
Chinatown group meeting night – typo and meeting change
Posted May 7th, 2008 by April | Amnesty News, Chinatown
The calendar on this website had listed the Chinatown Amnesty International group’s next meeting as May 13. In fact, their May meeting was held last night, May 6. I apologize to anyone who missed the meeting!
Also, please note that the Chinatown group is changing their meeting night to the third Tuesday of each month. So their next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 17, at 7:00 pm at 1032 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
University of Delaware AI Group Meeting
Posted May 1st, 2008 by April | Student Groups, University of Delaware
May 13, 7:00 pm
218 Gore Hall
University of Delaware
Newark DE
University of Delaware AI group’s last meeting of the semester. Next year’s officers will be announced.