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.

Minutes from Amnesty International Group 112 Meeting, October 22 at Philadelphia Ethical Society

Report on last month’s events

The event “Dancing To the Edge of Darfur: Expression, Awareness Impact” at the Prince Theater last Saturday evening was discussed. This event which was well attended highlighted the work of Global Grassroots in Sudan and Rwanda. This was organized by the Rebecca Davis Dance Company. Bob Page and Ron Coburn showed an exhibit that highlights our activities.

Report on planned events

1. The Friday Noon Human Rights Luncheon, sponsored by our group was discussed. This event will take place at the Ethical Society 12 to 2PM. We are bringing Gladys Monterroso here to speak on violence, impunity and immigration reform. Ms Monterroso a Guatemalan human rights activist and torture survivor is on a US tour sponsored by the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission. This invite only luncheon is oversubscribed.

2 . Lobbying with other Amnesty International people. This will occur on November 11, 12 or 13 and we wlll lobby our senators on death penalty and immigration detention. This is an opportunity to learn how to effectively lobby. I am planning on leading a lobbying group and will distribute information. We need volunteers to participate.

3. Tabling at the Clark Parks market, perhaps late in November or early December. We have obtained permission to do this from the Farmers Coop. I need one volunteer to help with this.

Report: Key findings of Amnesty International’s report on immigration detention were summarized by David Loeb.

Treasury Report (not given at the meeting). $38 was deposited into the account giving a balance of $524.68.

18 letters were written and sent regarding human rights violations in the Dominican Republic and in Darfur.

Contributions totally $18 are noted.

NOTE: OUR NOVEMBER MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THE THIRD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT 7PM AT THE ETHICAL SOCIETY, RATHER THAN THE FOURTH THURSDAY (WHICH IS THANKSGIVING).

Submitted by Ronald Coburn, Coordinator

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.

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!

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.

Here are some notes from the Villanova University AI group’s March 17 meeting about their upcoming plans.

• Urgent Action Appeals were handed out and letters written concerning the case of a Female Journalist detained in Iran.
• AI will be sponsoring a number of movie screenings in the coming weeks. This will tentatively include Race to Execution, a documentary examining the Death Penalty.
• AI is also co-sponsoring a screening of a new documentary from the makers of Invisible Children, which also focuses on the plight of children and Child Soldiers in Uganda.
• There will be no meeting next week. Instead, we encourage all of our members to attend the speech of Sister Helen Prejean on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. Prejean, who was made famous when she was portrayed by Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking, is an internationally famous Anti-Death Penalty activist, and will speak at Villanova about her work.

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.

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

The University of Delaware Amnesty International group held its most recent meeting on Tuesday, April 8. A few notes from that meeting:

• Some of the members of the UD group will be traveling to the Global Day for Darfur event in Washington, DC on Sunday, April 12.
• UD group members will also join the members of the Wilmington Amnesty local group for their upcoming meeting, Tuesday, April 15 at 7:00 pm at Borders Books and Music, Concord Pike, Wilmington.
• The group will also be meeting for dinner at an Indian buffet on Sunday, April 20.
• Finally, UD group members will be traveling to DC for the upcoming Annual General Meeting, April 25-27.

For more information about the University of Delaware Amnesty International chapter and its upcoming activities, please contact Jenn, Delaware Student Area Coordinator, at jloy@udel.edu.

Amnesty International, Group 347, Minutes for 24 March, 2008 Meeting

In Attendance: Mary M., Bill B., Karen B., Bill F., Hans W., Ed S., Mike P., Maria W., Tony M.

Treasurer’s Report: February 1, 2008 Beginning Balance: 1,143.54
Total Deposits: 30.00
Total Debits: 248.60
Ending Balance: 924.94

There were 3 checks written:
1006 $60.60 to Mary Mesaros for Stamps
1007 $50.00 Gratuity to Moravian Church Janitor
1008 $138.00 to Allentown Group for Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser

• Ed will call all non-dues paying members to inquire if they are still interested in membership
• Part of Group 347 went to local US Senate offices to ask for support of Darfur
• Karen sent follow-up letters to the Senators & called them, but no reply was received
• Hans gave an update on the Darfur situation journalist Nicholas Kristof has said that Southern Sudan may become “Africa’s Next Slaughter”
• The San Francisco Chronicle will run a two page ad on April 4 asking China to “Extinguish the Fire in Darfur”, the emphasis is now on China to save Darfur
• Karen had 2 letters:
• The first to Sudan concerning the Death Sentences imposed on 9 Men and One Boy in the murder of Mohammed Taha, a newspaper editor. Their confessions were extracted by torture
• The Second letter is on the behalf of Kakule Kahemu age 16, he’s a former child soldier in the Democratic Republic of Congo who is now in prison.
• Maria passed out a list on upcoming Death Penalty Action speaking engagements
• The Georgia Supreme Court voted against a new trial for Troy Davis despite there not being any material evidence & 7 of the 9 witness have now recanted. He now has one more appeal left, before the US Supreme Court. Right now there are letters before Davis’ parole board asking for clemency.
• Mary gave an update on the situation in South Africa and the spread of HIV many women fall victim because they cannot refuse their partners or get them to use condoms.
• Tony gave a report on China he had a letter supporting Tibet, group members debated if the the term Genocide may be applied to Tibet
• Thanks to Tony’s daughter delivering her DVD player the group view a 60 Minutes report about rape as a weapon in the Congo conflict