Weekly Action and News 09/08/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
Our action this week gives you the opportunity to send messages of solidarity to those who have been targeted and threatened by the riots which have taken place over the past 10 days. There are three links below which take you to sites of organisations (Refugee Action, Care4Calais, Freedom from Torture) who will forward your message of support to those affected.
TAKE ACTION - RA
TAKE ACTION - C4C
TAKE ACTION - FFT
Manchester Amnesty Statement
After the tragic loss of life in Southport, we have been horrified to witness the hateful response of what we believe to be a small, unrepresentative minority of our fellow human beings. Manchester Amnesty wishes to send a message of support and solidarity to all of those who have been affected by the appalling violence which has taken place on our streets and in our communities. We stand with all those who have been threatened by racist, Islamophobic and dehumanising speech and actions. We applaud the communities that have come together to recognise our common humanity and provide support and care for each other.
Regretfully, under the current circumstances, and in line with advice from AIUK, we have decided not to go ahead with the Human Rights fundraising walk which was to take place this weekend. Please see the notice below for more details.
After a risk assessment, we have however decided that we will hold our weekly silent vigil for Palestine and Israel in St Peter’s Square, as advertised below.
Manchester Amnesty August in-person group meeting
Monday, 12th August at 6pm, Third floor meeting room, Manchester Central Library.
We will be focusing on the UK protest laws, with a particular focus on Pride as protest. There will also be an update on all of our other campaigns. We hope to see you there!
Manchester Amnesty fundraising event – Human Rights Walk - POSTPONED.
After discussion and in line with advice from AIUK we have regretfully decided to not to go ahead with the Human Rights Walk which was due to take place this Saturday, 10th August.
Those who had bought tickets via wegottickets will already have received email/text messages.
https://www.wegottickets.com/event/626676 [wegottickets.com]
If you have helpfully passed on information about this event to friends and colleagues who do not receive this mailing, please would you inform them that the event is not going ahead. Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL
Silent vigil calling for a permanent ceasefire
and the protection of all civilians in Palestine and Israel will take place as planned.
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 9th August, 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.
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Hands off the Middle East! Stop Gaza Genocide!
All out for Palestine this Saturday 10th August, 12noon, St. Peter’s Square
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.
Film Showing: “Shanshula” directed by Musheir El Farra from Gaza.
A 33 minute film documenting the struggles of the Gazan fishing community.
Wednesday 18th September, 6:30 for 7pm, Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, M2 1NL.
You can find the biannual newsletter of Rethink Rebuild Society here. It is an inspiring document, full of news about the many events, workshops, webinars and initiatives taken to support refugees and stand up for human rights more generally. It is well worth a read.
Good news
Morocco - On July 29, 2024, following a royal pardon, journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni were released. The measure, which affected a total of 2278 prisoners, also benefited activists Reda Taoujni, Youssef El Hirech, Afaf Bernani, Imad Stitou, Hicham Mansouri, Abdessamad Aït Aïcha, Saida Amali and Mohamed Kenzouz.
Guinea - On July 31, 2024, a court convicted eight perpetrators of the stadium massacre in the capital Conakry on July 28, 2009, in which at least 156 protesters were killed and at least 109 women and girls raped and sexually enslaved, in the repression of a protest against the decision of the leader of the military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara (among those convicted), to run for president.
Yemen - On August 1, 2024, the execution of Husseim Hahrara, a man sentenced to death for killing a little girl during a fight with her father in a car accident, was called off at the last minute after Ibrahim al-Bakri, the father of the victim, took the floor and forgave the killer.
Russia - On August 1, 2024, as part of an exchange of detainees with the United States and some European states, the Russian authorities released the following activists, human rights defenders: Alekandra Skochilenko, Oleg Orlov, Lilia Chanysheva, Ksenia Fadeeva, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Andrei Pivovarov and Ilya Yashin. Journalist Alsu Kurmansheva and American journalist Evan Gershkovich were also released.
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 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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