Weekly Action and News 03/05/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
As you will know, the shameful Safety of Rwanda Act has been passed into law, and, despite the howls of protests from human rights organisations all over the world, the government is starting to round up and detain people seeking asylum in order to deport them to Rwanda. This week we have two simple and quick actions that you can take. The first action is to sign the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) pledge to campaign on behalf of those at risk of being deported.
You can sign the pledge by clicking the link below
The second action comes from Care4Calais and addresses the CEO of MITIE, the company which runs 50% of the government’s detention centres, calling on him to withdraw MITIE from the government’s brutal and inhumane scheme. You can send a letter by clicking the link below.
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL
Silent vigil calling for a permanent ceasefire
and the protection of all civilians in Palestine and Israel
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 3rd May, 5pm to 6pm
Meet in front of Central Library
Please dress warmly, wear black/dark colours
and please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages. Feel free to bring your friends.
We will continue with the weekly vigils until further notice.
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS + TRUST FALL FILM VIEWING!!
The Trust Fall is a compelling exploration of Julian Assange's journey as a political prisoner. It sheds light on his crucial role in exposing war crimes through WikiLeaks, and relays the story of his arrest, incarceration and impending extradition. It also explores the more general threat to press freedom and government transparency which is embodied in the treatment of Julian Assange.
Wednesday 8th May, at 6:15pm, meet at Atlas Bar, 376 Deansgate, M3 4LY, to socialise & enjoy a drink or some food before making our way over to the Odeon to view the film, which starts at 7:50.
Please check out the Facebook event [facebook.com] for links to purchase your tickets (we have bought tickets on row G), to register your interest and to find out more about the film!
The next Manchester Amnesty Group meeting, will be online on Monday, May 13th at 7pm.
We will provide a report on the recent Manchester launch of AIUK’s Scrap Prevent campaign (also see below). There will be updates on all of our campaigns. Everybody is welcome, including new members. All members will be emailed the zoom link before the meeting.
SCRAP PREVENT!
Following on from the Manchester Launch of the Amnesty Scrap Prevent campaign, there will be an online meeting on Thursday 16th May at 7pm to discuss how to take the campaign forward. All are welcome. If you would like to join the Scrap Prevent campaign meeting, please email alison.wearden@gmail.com for the zoom link.
Members who are also members of AIUK are eligible to attend the
Amnesty International UK Annual General Meeting, 22 June, 9.30 am - 7:30 pm
at Sheffield Hallam University. In-person and online options are available.
Book here [email.amnestyuk.org.uk].
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Stop Gaza Genocide: Solidarity with Gaza Workers
Demonstration, Saturday, 4th May, 12 noon, St Peter’s Square
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.
MANCHESTER MUSIC FOR GAZA in support of Medical Aid for Palestinians
Sunday 12 May, 2pm til late at the Klondyke Club, Levenshulme, M19 2HQ
Great line-up of music and speakers, including Maxine Peake and our group member, Mike Reed (seen here being interviewed about Amnesty at a local school)
Details of Manchester Music for Gaza here: https://bit.ly/49znUZS [bit.ly].
Manchester Amnesty will have an information stall. Please contact Mike Reed if you can help.
MANCHESTER PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL
10th-31st May, The Savoy Cinema, Heaton Moor
The Teacher (10/5); Gaza Fights for Freedom (18/5); 200 metres (31/5).
More information and Tickets available here [mcrpalff.org]
Good news
European Union/Hungary - On 24 April 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Hungary denouncing serious shortcomings related to, inter alia, media freedom, fundamental rights, the constitutional and electoral system, the judiciary and the functioning of civil society.
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 [amnesty.org.uk] (managed by Alison Wearden)
X/Twitter @amnestymanc [twitter.com] (managed by Steve Lindsay – stevenjameslindsay@gmail.com)
Facebook Manchester Amnesty Group [facebook.com]
Instagram @amnestymanchester [instagram.com] (managed by Sara Baptista - sarabm6@gmail.com)
Alison Wearden
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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