Weekly Action and News 10/11/2023
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do these actions and make a difference
Action 1
In May 2022, 3 19-year old men from Manchester (part of the Manchester 10) were sentenced to 8 years in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. They were jailed after taking part in a private chat on the messaging service Telegram, portrayed in court as plotting violent revenge for the recent murder of one of their friends. It was accepted in court that none of these three young men was involved in any acts of violence; they were convicted simply because of their text messages. The case was described in the press as an example of “guilt by association,” and was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary [channel4.com]. See also this Guardian article [theguardian.com].
Kids of Colour is a Manchester-based organisation which has been working to expose the racist narratives which led to the convictions of these young men. Today, 10th November, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, the three young men will be seeking permission to appeal against their conviction. Permission is expected to be granted and the case is likely to proceed to an outcome.
If you use Instagram or Twitter/X please like, retweet messages of support for the 3 young men from @KidsOf ColourHQ and related tweets on our own social media @amnestymanc. Use #FreeTheMCR10 in your messages & retweets. You can reach Kids of Colour twitter/X account by clicking the link below, where you will find some sample messages. If you are not on social media, please share the story of the Manchester 10 with your networks and friends.
Countless lives have been shattered, ripped apart and upended due to the crisis in Gaza, Israel and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territories. In the face of such devastation and suffering, humanity must prevail. Please sign this Amnesty petition to demand an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. If you can attend our silent vigil this evening (more information below), please do so.
Our next monthly group meeting will be held online, 7pm on Monday 13th November.
Manchester City Council recently pledged to become a local authority of sanctuary.
At our November group meeting, Liz Hibberd, an Amnesty member who is also the Strategic & Partnership Lead at Manchester City of Sanctuary [manchester.cityofsanctuary.org], will speak to us about how the various sanctuary streams work, and how they link together to mobilise the wider public and amplify the message of welcome to refugees. We will have the opportunity to discuss what will happen as Manchester becomes a City of Sanctuary and how we can play an active role in supporting the process.
Plus updates on all our other campaigns. All are welcome, including new members. Look out for the zoom link which will be emailed to all. We hope to see you there!
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL
Fourth Silent vigil calling for a ceasefire
and the protection of civilians in Israel and Gaza
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 10th November, 5pm to 6pm
Meet in front of Central Library. Look for the Manchester Amnesty yellow banner.
Please wear black/dark colours and please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages.
Write for Rights 2023
Every year, Amnesty International run Write for Rights over November and December when we are encouraged to write messages of support to people around the world who have suffered injustice, and to send appeals of their behalf. This year’s campaign features 10 cases, including Ahmed Mansoor, in the UAE, for whom we have campaigned since he was arrested in 2017.
You can find out more and download the campaign booklet at https://www.amnesty.org.uk/write-rights-2023-get-started
You can take part at home but better still, come along to our drop-in session at Central Library, Saturday 25th November 2-4pm, to the Whalley Range Peace and Justice event during the afternoon of Saturday 2nd December at St Margaret’s Church, and to our December group meeting Monday December 11th 6-80m at Central Library. It’s always more fun to do things together!
We are also running stalls to encourage members of the public to take part in Write for Rights. We need volunteers to help, at least 2 people per shift - preferably more. Can you help?
Volunteers needed!
Manchester Cathedral Stall ̴ Wednesday 22nd November
Stall shifts 10-12, 12-2 or 2-4.
People’s History Museum
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December
Stall shifts 11-12.30, 12.30-2 or 2-4
If you can help, email anne.walker9@ntlworld.com NOW,
indicating your preferred date and time.
The next Acoustic Amnesty fundraiser gig
will take place on Friday 8th December, 7.30 pm at our regular venue,
Sacred Trinity Church, Salford M3 7WQ (close to Manchester City Centre)
We will be raising funds for Amnesty and Safe Passage International https://www.safepassage.org.uk/
There will be 6 performers - Tom Blackwell, Clive Mellor and Mark Greer, Lucy Hope, Ian Daniel/Leslie poet, Robin Mukherjee and the Open Voice Choir.
Tickets available here
https://www.wegottickets.com/event/594143 [wegottickets.com]
Non-Amnesty events
Saddleworth Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund Autumn Fundraiser
A Breakfast for Palestine (Buffet Breakfast)
Saturday November 18th, 2023 10:30am- 1pm
Uppermill Methodist Church Hall, High Street, OL3 6AX
With update from Gaza, readings and short films
Good news
United Nations - On 1 November 2023, the First Committee of the General Assembly approved by 164 votes in favour of Resolution L56 tabled by Austria in favour of an international standard on autonomous weapon systems. The resolution was prompted by the "Stop Killer Robots" campaign, of which Amnesty International is also a member.
Nigeria - On 2 November 2023, the federal government formally acknowledged the complaint filed with the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States by Amnesty International and the Sterling Centre for Law and Development over a series of enforced disappearances in northeastern states. The government's gesture means the court will be able to investigate the claimants' complaints.
Canada/Egypt - On 3 November 2023, the Federal Minister of Immigration suspended at the last minute the deportation of Ezzat Gouda, an Egyptian citizen residing illegally in Canada and sentenced to death in absentia in Egypt for taking part in demonstrations against the July 2013 coup.
Peru - On November 3, 2023, Congress abolished child marriages through a law amending the Civil Code by prohibiting underage people from marrying.
Manchester Amnesty issue and campaign coordinators
Anti-racism –Hazel Errey hazelerrey@gmail.com next meeting 4th October, contact Hazel for link
Craftivism – Lima Al-Iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey Fatih Segmen - fsegmen@yahoo.com
Human Rights in the UK Lancine Sacko - sacko10@hotmail.co.uk
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins) - Anne Walker anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
Manchester Central Library café, 2-4pm 4th Saturdays November, January, March, May, July
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians - Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride coordinator – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Press freedom and Julian Assange – Lima Al-Iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
Refugees – Alison Wearden alison.wearden@gmail.com
UAE – Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com
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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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