Weekly Action and News 10/05/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
Israel has announced its intention to mount a full-scale ground offensive on Rafah. It has issued evacuation orders to the Palestinian population, in the full knowledge that there is nowhere safe for them to go, and has now commenced airstrikes in the area. Most of those now in Rafah have already been displaced multiple times, many are sick, injured, and malnourished, and they are living in appalling conditions. Approximately 600,000 children are currently taking shelter in the enclave.
Even if you have written before, please email the Foreign Secretary, copying in your MP, to demand their support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, that the entry of aid is unimpeded, that the order to evacuate is rescinded, and that arms sales to Israel are halted. Clicking the link below will take you to a prepared letter (from Palestine Solidarity Campaign), which you can personalise if you wish.
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. At the end of the meeting we will be doing the photo action about the Saturday mothers of Galatasary Square (see weekly action of 26th April). Please print out one or more of the attached scripts to hold up.
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.
***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 10th May, 5pm to 6pm
Meet in front of Central Library
Please 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.
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
Saturday, 11th May, 12 noon, Piccadilly Gardens
Demonstration: STOP BOMBING RAFAH, STOP ARMING ISRAEL.
and
Saturday, 11th May, 7pm, Media City
Protest outside the BBC against the inclusion of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.
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]
Mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day on
Wednesday 15th May, 11.30-12.30, in the Manchester Peace Garden, Lincoln Square
or Cross Street Chapel if the weather is too wet or windy.
The event will include poetry, readings and a statement from the Israeli Refusers Network.
All welcome.
Any queries: email - mcrquakerpeacegp@gmail.com
Tuesday 21st May 7pm (No registration needed).
THE CRIMINALISATION OF POVERTY, DISPERSAL ORDERS, AND THE POLICING OF HOMELESSNESS
ONLINE TALK FROM LIBERTY –WITH LANA ADAMOU AND NAZMUL HASSAN
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86863145265?pwd=6HPrAzbkS78HxZZIILZixJh0LN5Yz3.1
Meeting ID: 868 6314 5265 Passcode: 110085
Good news
Central African Republic - On 30 April 2024, the Special Criminal Court - a hybrid judicial body composed of Central African and non-Central African judges - issued an arrest warrant against former President Francois Bozize, currently residing in Guinea Bissau, for crimes against humanity committed between February 2009 and March 2014.
Curacao - On May 1, 2024, a law came into force prohibiting the extradition of wanted persons from states where there is the death penalty.
Oman - On May 1, 2024, writer and online activist Mohammed Ali Bakhit was released from prison, after being acquitted of charges of "damaging the reputation of the government" and "insulting various ministers" due to the content of his posts. He was arrested on March 7 and has since been held in solitary confinement with no contact with the outside world.
Ireland – On May 8, 2024, students encamped outside Trinity College Dublin called off their protest after the University pledged to cut its ties with Israeli Companies. See this Guardian article.
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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