July meeting notes:

In terms of Nataly's Family Court Crisis case, although the decision to overturn the SO decision (not to include our resolution in the AGM motions) wasn't successful at the AGM, Nataly was successfully able to use the AGM to network with the feminist group, children's rights group and young people so there were multiple avenues for Nataly to work with and a significant amount of visibility. Well done Nataly.  We support and commend the work you are doing. 

For those interested in the Amnesty UK's Hong Kong Programme, please sign an online message to our chosen Prisoner of conscience Chow Hang-Tung. There is plenty of activity going on there! One of the local Hong Kong activists, Carmen Lau, has recently been told to stop being so vocal about the Hong Kong situation by our Government which is appalling. 

Key open item for us is to sort out our Collection Day on Saturday, 20 September. Steph is unfortunately away then but she will hand over to Monica at our next meeting, 1 September. Please let us know if you have some availability.  Ideally, we need two people per session.  If we only have a few people confirmed, then we will need to reduce the overall time allotted to do it.  

Separately, there are protests against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants happening in Aldershot, Potters Hotel on the 8 August.  If anyone is interested in going to stand up to defend the refugees/asylum seekers/migrants, then let me, Monica or Keith know so we can organise a group of us to attend.  It is during the day so I cannot attend, however, Monica or Arianna maybe able to attend. It is abhorrent.

Lastly, the Southern Groups Network event planned for 18 October, is being held in Royal Tunbridge Wells. So if we do want to go and support it then we will need to organise transport (I am happy to drive if there is enough of us).  It's a great networking opportunity and more intimate event than the wider AGM one.  Arianna has organised a couple of planning meetings this Thursday or Friday at 6:15, so let Arianna or me know if you are interested in attending and supporting the planning.

Our next meeting, as mentioned above, will be Monday, 1 September (not tomorrow as we have August off for the summer holidays).   We will meet face to face and online.  

Thanks in advance for all support, have a good summer break.  We live in a troubled world but the small steps we make as individuals to protect human rights does make a difference.  Above all else, be kind and look out for each other.

See you all in September.  

Steph, Monica, Keith 

Co-Chairs Amnesty Woking Group