Weekly Action and News 29/03/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do these actions and make a difference
This week’s first action is a petition calling on the government to create a visa scheme which would allow Palestinians affected by the war to apply to come to live in the UK. So far almost 50000 people have signed this petition. When the number of signatories reaches 100000, the government will have to debate it in parliament. You can increase the petition’s chances by tweeting about it – see this google document for suggested tweets.
This week’s second action is a letter prepared by War on Want, asking your MP to call on the government to end trade deals which allow it to sell arms to Israel. You can access the letter by clicking the link below, and send it to your MP as it is, or you can modify it.
Our April group meeting will take place in person on
Monday 8th April, 6pm, third-floor meeting room, Manchester Central Library.
There will be an online meeting of the Craftivism Group on Tuesday, 2nd April at 7pm.
Come and discuss your ideas for creative and crafty ways to enhance all of our campaigns!
All are welcome – no prior experience needed.
Please let alison.wearden@gmail.com know if you would like the zoom link.
MANCHESTER LAUNCH OF AMNESTY’S PREVENT STRATEGY
Amnesty International UK in conjunction with Manchester Amnesty
Saturday 6th April 2-4.30pm Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, M2 5NS
Amnesty UK’s new report “This is the Thought Police” on the government’s Prevent strategy
Relevant stakeholders have been invited. More information, and tickets available here.
Book now as places are limited and registration will close on Thursday, 4th April at 10am.
You can read the Prevent report here
Manchester Amnesty Group - Weekly vigil for Palestine and Israel
We are most grateful for your continuing loyal support for our weekly vigil.
THERE WILL BE NO VIGIL ON GOOD FRIDAY, 29 MARCH
We will resume on Friday 5 April starting as usual at 5pm.
We will review the situation in the light of any changes such as a ceasefire being agreed.
RUN FOR RIGHTS!
AIUK are looking for people to take part in Run for Rights on 13th October at various events including the inaugural Manchester Half Marathon, which starts at Old Trafford cricket ground. The aim is to raise funds and awareness about Human Rights in the UK. To take part, you will need to raise at least £350 and should apply for a place soon. This link explains what to do.
AIUK have put out a call for nominations (including self nominations) for the roles of regional activism reps. You can find out about the role and how to nominate here.
Ahead of the anticipated General Election in the UK, AIUK have published a new
Human Rights Manifesto, outlining Amnesty’s demands for human rights-based approaches in both foreign and home affairs. You can access all the documents here.
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Palestine Land Day
Demonstration on Saturday 30th March, 12 noon, Piccadilly Gardens
Commemorating a mass uprising on 30th March 1976 in protest at the confiscation of Palestinian land, and remembering the lives lost on that day.
Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine
Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar (junction Upper Chorlton Rd/Moss Lane East/Withington Rd)
Please support these events, but please do not take Amnesty banners.
Material Power Palestinian Embroidery exhibition
continues at the Whitworth Art Gallery until April 7th. FREE (donations to gallery welcome).
The exhibition charts the evolution of embroidery in Palestine over the past century: from rich village tradition, transformed by modernity, to its politicisation in the 1970s and commodification in the present. Over the last 75 years, embroidery has become a powerful symbol of resistance, and the embodiment of resilience on personal and national scales. The beautiful exhibits are on display in the UK for the first time in over 30 years.
FREEDOM FROM TORTURE – THE NEIGHBOUR MOVEMENT
What are the issues facing refugees and asylum seekers?
A day of engagement and discussion with local communities.
Saturday 13 April, 10:00-17:00, St Aidan's Centre, 230a Wythenshawe Road, M23 0PH
More information and register here.
VOICES OF RESILIENCE
A celebration of Gazan writing
HOME Manchester, Tuesday, 22nd April 7pm
With performances by Kamila Shamsie, Maxine Peake, Kingsley Ben-Adir and many others.
Get your tickets here.
Good news
Democratic Republic of Congo - On March 18, 2024, journalist Stanis Bujakera, a correspondent for the magazine "Jeune Afrique" and the news agency "Reuters", was released. He had been arrested in September 2023 because of an article in which military intelligence was implicated in the death of political opponent Chérubin Okende.
Netherlands - On March 19, 2024, with 73 votes in favor and two against, the Senate definitively approved a law, to come into force in July, introducing a consent-based definition of rape.
Canada - On 20 March 2024, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador joined the other eight Canadian provinces by stating that they would no longer detain “irregular” migrants.
Canada - On March 20, 2024, after a non-binding vote by parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced a halt to the supply of weapons to Israel.
Manchester Amnesty issue and campaign coordinators
Anti-racism –Hazel Errey hazelerrey@gmail.com
Craftivism – Lima Al-Iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey Fatih Segmen - fsegmen@yahoo.com
Human Rights in the UK Iona Bruce – ifbruce99@gmail.com
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins and Write for Rights in Nov/Dec) – Anne Walker is stepping down. Please contact her if you are interested in taking over the role anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians - Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Press freedom and Julian Assange – Lima Al-iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com & Danny Jones dannyj644@gmail.com
Refugees Whatsapp group – Alison Wearden alison.wearden@gmail.com
UAE – Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com
Our website Manchester | Amnesty International UK (managed by Alison Wearden)
X/Twitter @amnestymanc (managed by Steve Lindsay – stevenjameslindsay@gmail.com)
Facebook Manchester Amnesty Group
Instagram @amnestymanchester (managed by Sara Baptista - sarabm6@gmail.com)
Communications Secretary
Manchester Group of Amnesty International
Please contact me with items for our Weekly Action and News email, or with ideas for longer articles for the quarterly Manchester Amnesty Group Bulletin.
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