Amnesty International
Upper Potomac Chapter (AIUP) #539
PO Box 1225 Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Amnesty International
Upper Potomac Chapter (AIUP) #539
PO Box 1225 Shepherdstown, WV 25443
January 11, 2008 Shepherdstown Vigil where more than 25 local residents joined thousands throughout the world to call for the closure of Guantanamo and other illegal detention centers, an end to torture, and the restoration of habeas corpus.
Help close down Guantanamo and stop torture by visiting your members of Congress in Washington, DC at the beginning of July. For more information, contact Lynn Yellott.
You can help accomplish these goals by taking action through AIUSA's website.
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2. In conjunction with its performances of Speak Turth to Power, Voices from Beyond the Dark, Jefferson
High School Theatre Department has met and surpassed its goal of
raising $1000 for Dollars for Darfur! Currently, they are the 4th
highest high school in the country for raising money, and would love to
be #1. Here is a link to the website with donation information and specific information on the what this cause is and how you can help.
Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide human rights movement working independently of all governments and political ideologies to:
Secure...
the release of prisoners of conscience; men, women, and children detained anywhere solely because of their beliefs, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, color, or language, and who have neither used nor advocated violence.
Ensure...
fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners.
End...
all use of torture, "disappearance," political killing, and the death penalty.
AI received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to promote observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To learn more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/udhr.html, or come to our meetings and obtain a free copy.
Come to UPPER POTOMAC CHAPTER LETTER WRITING MEETINGS OR WORK IN OTHER WAYS WITH THE CHAPTER TO:
DEFEND THOSE WHO GIVE EARTH AND WORKERS A VOICE THROUGH AMNESTY'S Business and Human Rights program.Amnesty International currently focuses on human rights abuses in Colombia. Some members of our chapter have expressed interest in delving into more depth by looking at the roles U.S. policy and multinational corporations are playing in the human rights situation there. Please send an email to aiupperpotomac@yahoo.com if you are interested in working on human rights abuses in Colombia.
Visit members of Congress and other officials to help them understand Amnesty International USA's position on specific pieces of human rights legislation. Help our officials put the human faces on rights violations so that they can better assess how US legislation either promotes or hinders respect for human rights. For tips on making a visit to your member of Congress, take a look at the "Raise the Roof" video available for loan from the Shepherdstown Public Library.
In many countries people in sexual minorities - lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender - and those suspected of being in a sexual minority - are tortured, imprisoned, and subjected to other forms of inhumane treatment soley because of their sexual identity. Help protect the human rights of sexual minorities and those who speak up for them. More information is available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/.
Amnesty International believes that the death penalty is a violation of basic human rights. Today, the United States is the only industrialized country imposing the death penalty. It is among 4 countries (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, U.S.) that account for over 80% of the world's executions. Learn more about the death penalty by visiting http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish for more information.
Do you want to help but don't have time for meetings or writing many letters? OR would you like to write additional letters between meetings? Join Amnesty International's on line Action Center. You will be able to view pre-drafted letters ready for your signature. Leave the letter as is or edit it, press send, and you are increasing the chances that a person in custody will not be tortured or that the torture will stop. At times you may also have the option to make your voice heard on issues involving U.S. Congress or corporations. Visit Amnesty International USA's online Action Center.
Select an Amnesty International case or issue that you would like to focus on. Then volunteer to prepare the model letter(s) and briefly present background information at one of our monthly meetings.
Human Rights Videos Available at the Shepherdstown Public Library
Click here for more information
You can receive announcements and information by email about AIUP meetings and events by sending a message to aiupperpotomac@yahoo.com or calling (304) 671-0433. You can support our Chapter by working with us and as a dues-paying member. Our Chapter's dues are $5/yr for students; $10 (or more, if you like!) for non-students.
* To become a member of Amnesty International USA, click on the secure web site: https://ssl.charityweb.net/amnestyusa/
* Membership in the local chapter does not include membership in Amnesty International USA and inversely, membership in Amnesty International USA does not include membership in the local Upper Potomac Chapter.
During a vigil on August 7, 2006, AIUP joined
AI members worldwide to demand an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon. See
photos by Dennis
Crosby at http://www.slainteimages.com/gallery/1753184.
Tabling at the Contemporary American Theater Festival
V-Day Letter writing meeting "Women in Conflict Zones"
Dimensions of Torture Forum
"Tonight (or today) we hold this vigil of "solidarity and sorrow" for the people of Iraq. We do this to reaffirm our commitment to universal human rights and to stand in solidarity with all those who face the destructive impact of war. We pledge to press all involved to act in accordance with the international laws and standards they are bound to uphold, in war and in peace.
Two decades of conflict, a brutally oppressive regime, and the imposition of harsh and indiscriminate economic sanctions have jeopardized and violated the most fundamental human rights of Iraqi civilians. We reflect in sorrow for these violations, now magnified by the military intervention. We demand that the international community, and in particular, the parties to the conflict, endeavor to protect the lives of civilians, and we demand that the human rights of the Iraqi people never again be subjected to abuse and neglect."
