Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News

Please do this action and make a difference

The previous government launched an unprecedented attack on our democracy, and now we are seeing the results. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has proven every bit as draconian as feared. Five climate activists now face a terrifying combined 21 years behind bars - for planning a peaceful protest on a zoom call. Others are awaiting trial.

The Public Order Act 2023 gives the police unprecedented power to clamp down on peaceful protest. In just one month police made at least 630 arrests of peaceful protesters. Protesters are being rounded up for carrying placards and peaceful demonstrators arrested for marching down the street. Massively expanded stop and search arrest powers further harm already over-policed communities and people of colour.

Our democratic freedoms have been hard won, but right now are being easily lost. Please act now to defend the right to protest by signing this petition from Greenpeace calling on the new government to revoke these repressive bills, and associated secondary legislation, whilst retaining laws to protect women using abortion clinics from harassment.

Protest is not a crime (greenpeace.org.uk)

TAKE ACTION

***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 4^th October, 5-6pm.

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.

Our October group meeting will take place online on Monday 14^th October at 7pm. The main business of the meeting will be to discuss our responses to the AIUK survey of local groups, as well as discussing. Please see the attached document for the questions they have asked us to answer. There will also be updates on our campaigning work. All are welcome to attend, including new members. A zoom link will be sent to all members prior to the meeting.

Calling all Facebook fans!

We need a volunteer to help administer our Facebook group page.

Please let alison.wearden@gmail.com know if you are interested!

Thanks to those who have volunteered  

to help with the organisation and running of our stall at the annual Whalley Range for Peace and Justice Write for Rights event, which will take place on Saturday 7^th December. Even if you can’t help out, please make a note of the date, and come along! It is always a really good event, with music, food and stalls, as well as the opportunity to meet with friends and to write cards and letters.

Amnesty North West Regional Conference, Action for Human Rights

10-4pm, Saturday, 23^rd November. Registration is now open!

at the Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester, M2 1NL.

Topics covered will include anti-racism, anti-death penalty, craftivism, the human rights implications of face recognition technology, and more! There will be displays about the activities of  local groups and a discussion of how we can develop our work in the North West.

All welcome. Book your place here.

Action for Human Rights (wegottickets.com)

Non-Amnesty events and actions

Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations

Thanks to all those who turned out for last Saturday’s demonstration with music.

Saturday 5 October, 12 noon, Piccadilly Gardens.

Demonstration to mark one year of genocide in Gaza

Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine

Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar M16 7RN

Please support these events but please do not take Amnesty banners.

Good news

Afghanistan - On 26 September 2024, following urgent action by Amnesty International, Ahmad Fahim Azimi, an educator from the "Fekre Behtar" association for the right to education, was released after 11 months in prison. He was arrested on October 17, 2023 in the capital Kabul and accused of "working against the Taliban".

Iran - On September 24, 2024, Shervin Hajipour, the singer known for the song "Baraye", a symbol of the protests of the "Woman Life Freedom" movement, was released on bail pending appeal against a sentence of three years eight months imposed for "propaganda against the system."

Afghanistan - On September 25, 2024, during the United Nations General Assembly, Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands announced the initiation of legal actions at the International Court of Justice charging Afghanistan with numerous violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Bulgaria - On September 25, 2024, parliament rejected an amendment to the Child Protection Law that provided for fines and even jail time for doctors who administer gender-affirming medical treatment to intersex and trans minors.

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 volunteer needed

Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins and Write for Rights in Nov/Dec) – Anne Walker and Sara Baptista anne.walker9@ntlworld.com, sarabm6@gmail.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.comsu

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 

alison.wearden@gmail.com 

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.