AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update, May 13
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
May 13th, 2009
ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. HOPE FOR HUMANITY
In this issue
1. Highlight: Special Focus Case Rally
2. Take Action: Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
3. Opportunities
- Get Connected to MARO On-line and on Twitter
- Film Available on Juan Melendez
- Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. Local Events
– Local Events for Troy Davis
– June is Torture Awareness Month
– Tiananmen Demonstration
6. Volunteer Opportunities
– SAC
– Apply to be part of the RPG
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update, May 6
Posted May 7th, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
May 6th, 2009
ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. HOPE FOR HUMANITY
In this issue
1. Highlight: End of 100 Days Event Success!
2. Take Action: Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
3. Campaign Updates
– Counter Terror With Justice Update
– Mother’s Day Card Action
4. Opportunities
– Film Available on Juan Melendez
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. National Events
– Special Focus Case – Rally For Filep and Yusak
– Troy Davis Day of Action
6. Local Events
– June is Torture Awareness Month!
– Tiananmen Demonstration
7. Volunteer Opportunities
– Student Area Coordinator
– Regional Planning Group
– Maryland State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, April 15
Posted April 15th, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 15th, 2009
In this issue
1. Highlight: Building Support for Accountability
2. Take Action: Don’t Let Fathi el-Jahmi Die in Detention
3. Campaign Updates: Legislation to End the Jurisdictional Maze that Allows Rape of Native Women to Go Unpunished
4. Opportunities
– Attention Amnesty Student Groups, Please Re-register to Remain an Official Group for 2009-10
– Reminder: Annual Group Assessment Fee
– Amnesty Activist publishes a book
– Join the Special Focus case Street Team!
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
– Make a Flag – Show Support for our Regional Special Focus Case
– Tabling Opportunity in Baltimore
5. National Events
– SFC Rally
– Get on the Bus
– End of the first 100 days
6. Local/Regional Events
– Abolishing the Death Penalty Symposium-PA Only
7. Volunteer Opportunities
– SAC
– Apply to be part of the RPG
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, April 8
Posted April 8th, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 8th, 2009
In this issue
1. Highlight: Former Peruvian President Convicted for Torture
2. Take Action: Gaza Arms Trade
3. Campaign Updates: Counter Terror With Justice
4. Opportunities
– Join the Special Focus case Street Team!
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
– Make a Flag
5. National Events
– SFC Rally
– Get on the Bus
– End of the first 100 days
6. Volunteer Opportunities
– SAC
– Apply to be part of the RPG
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, April 2
Posted April 2nd, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update April 2nd, 2009
In this issue: Read more »
1. Highlight – The Annual General Meeting was a success!
2. Take Action – Immigrant Detention
3. Opportunities
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
– Get on the Bus for Human Rights
– Make a Flag
4. National Events
– SFC Rally
– End of the first 100 days
5. Volunteer Opportunities
– SAC
– Apply to be part of the RPG
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, March 25
Posted March 28th, 2009 by April | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
March 25th, 2009
1. Highlight: Death Penalty Abolished in New Mexico
2. Take Action: Not going to the AGM? You can still be a part of the action from home
3. Campaign Updates: Jailed Without Justice
4. Opportunities
- Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
- Get on the Bus for Human Rights
- Newsletter
- Make a Flag
5. National Events
– Annual General Meeting
- End of Hundred Days Action
6. Volunteer Opportunities
- Apply to be part of the RPG
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update for March 18
Posted March 22nd, 2009 by April | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
March 18th, 2009
In this issue
1. Highlight: Georgetown Law Week of Human Rights Action
2. Take Action: Lead or Join a Delegation to Call For Accountability
3. Campaign Updates: Jailed Without Justice
4. Opportunities
– New Death Penalty Abolition Campaign materials
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
– Get on the Bus for Human Rights
– Newsletter – The Candle
– Host a Film Screening
– Make a Flag
5. National Events
– Annual General Meeting
6. Volunteer Opportunities
– Aliados
– Apply to be part of the RPG
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, September 3
Posted September 6th, 2008 by April | Mid-Atlantic Region
In this issue
1. Highlight: 25 Years Remembering the Disappeared
2. Take Action: Troy Davis Scheduled to be Executed
3. Campaign Updates
4. Opportunities: Register Your Student Group; Submit Resolutions; 2008 Ideas Fair; Write for The Candle
5. Regional & National Events: Regional Conference
6. Local Events: Symbolic Flag Raising; Anti-Torture Conference
7. Volunteer Opportunities: SFC; RPG
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, July 1
Posted July 9th, 2008 by April | Amnesty News
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
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, June 24
Posted June 24th, 2008 by Jen | Amnesty News
HIGHLIGHT
Guantanamo Cell in the Nation’s Capital: Come Tour the Cell
Amnesty International USA’s Guantánamo Cell Tour hits the nation’s capital this week. The cell will be located on the National Mall, directly across from the Washington monument from June 25-29th. Events include a global photo action, walk throughs, and a free concert. On June 26th, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Senate will grill senior officials of the White House on interrogation policies.
These events come on the heels of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that said Guantánamo detainees have a right to challenge their detention before a legitimate court.
Where: National Mall at the corner of 15th St NW and Constitution Ave NW
Directions
RSVP for Washington DC Events
Tell Congress to Respect the Supreme Court’s Decision
TAKE ACTION
Virginia to Execute 100th Person: Tell Governor Kaine to Move Away from the Death Penalty
You have probably heard that last week Governor Tim Kaine commuted the sentence of Percy L. Walton. Mr. Walton was scheduled to be the 100th person executed in Virginia since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
Unfortunately, Robert Yarbrough is now scheduled to be the 100th person executed. His execution is scheduled for 9pm on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. At a time when much of the country is turning away from the death penalty, Virginia has three executions scheduled between now and the end of July. Please take action to urge Governor Kaine to join the rest of the country in moving away from the death penalty.
Action Opportunities:
- Contact Governor Tim Kaine RIGHT NOW by telephone and/or fax and politely ask him to grant clemency to Robert Yarbrough by commuting his death sentence to life without the possibility of parole. If you live in Virginia be sure to start by stating your name and the place where you live.
- Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) of your local newspaper. Below is a sample for you to use as a guide, but be sure to use your own words. Get more information on how to write a great LTE
- Attend a vigil on June 25th to oppose the execution of Robert Yarburough. If no stay or commutation has been granted by the afternoon of the execution, attend the execution protest and vigil outside Greensville Correctional Center at Jarratt. Because this is execution #100, we urge all who can to attend the vigil at the prison. Jarratt is about 50 miles south of Richmond on I-95. If you cannot travel to the prison, please attend a vigil closer to where you live. Details on scheduled vigils
Gov. Tim Kaine
Phone: (804) 786-2211
Fax: (804) 371-6351
Expert Organizing Tip: Make sure to keep your group updated on Amnesty opportunities this summer. Pass on emails about events and campaign updates to your members. Remember, as a group leader, you may be getting many emails that your group does not receive. Keep them up to date so they can stay active!
CAMPAIGN UPDATES
Political Prisoners Released in Tibet
1,157 people who were involved in the Tibet protests last march were recently released from prison. Amnesty International said: “We are encouraged by the news of the release of 1,157 people and we look forward to receiving information about the trials of the 116 people in custody announced by the Tibetan authorities.”
The reported prisoner releases came after Amnesty International published a report this week urging the Chinese government to provide information about the more than 1,000 people detained during the protests last March who remain unaccounted for. The organization also called for free access to Tibet by independent observers.
OPPORTUNITIES
Receive Money for Your Group’s Events: Up to $4000 for New Projects
Is your group going to be sponsoring a new project or event? Consider applying for Amnesty’s Special Initiative Funds (SIF) grant. SIF provides support for projects that would otherwise be difficult to finance. You can get up to $4000 for new projects and events. Funds are also available for existing projects through the Existing Initiatives Fund (EIF).
If you’re interested in applying for an SIF or EIF grant or learning more about the project, please contact Lynn Garfinkel, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative to the committee. She can be reached at aiusa.dc@gmail.com or by phone at 202 210-3249. Lynn reviews proposals before they are submitted and is available to assist with the application process. Proposals are due the last day of the month but should be given to Lynn at least two weeks prior to this deadline to allow time for her to review the application and provide feedback. In addition to consulting with Lynn, please consult your AC/SAC and your Field Organizer. Funding decisions are made during the month following submission.
Guantanamo Cell on MySpace: Make A New Friend
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! Visit: www.myspace.com/guantanamocell
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: Urge Congress to Tear it Down
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.
REGIONAL & NATIONAL EVENTS
Guantanamo Cell Tour: Experience Guantanamo In Washington, DC
Visit Amnesty International’s replica of a Guantánamo cell and join us in calling on the U.S. government to charge detainees and give them fair trials, or release them. Indefinite detention without charge or fair trial is illegal and violates American principles of justice.
When:
Wednesday, June 25th: 10am – 10pm
Global Photo Action from Noon to 1pm
Free public concert from 6pm – 10pm
Thursday, June 26th:10am – 7pm
Friday, June 27th:10am – 7pm
Saturday, June 28th:10am – 5pm
Sunday, June 29th:10am – 4pm
Where: 4 blocks from the Smithsonian Metro Station on the National Mall between 15th and 14th Sts NW at Constitution
More information
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
Pittsburgh Says NO to Torture
A Silent Procession to Commemorate Victims of Torture on the UN’s International Day in Support of of Victims of Torture.
When: Thursday, June 26, 11:30am
Where: Gather at the Gateway Center Triangle across from Fifth Avenue Place.
What: Following a few brief remarks, we will silently process on the sidewalk towards the Federal Building. Some of us will wear orange jumpsuits to hauntingly evoke the moral disgrace of torture while others pass out leaflets to passersby during the busy downtown lunch hour.
This event is organized by Pittsburgh Against Torture, a coalition of individuals (including Amnesty Internationals) committed to ending torture wherever it occurs. Our purpose is to motivate people to stop the use of torture through education, public witness, and political action.
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.
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