Weekly Action and News 16/08/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
The UK has a long and important history of protest. From anti-apartheid protests, marches for climate action, and the recent protests in solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, protests show the government of the day what the people think of its position.
From 2022, the last UK government passed a wave of anti-protest laws to clamp down on everyone’s ability to peacefully protest in England and Wales. They demonised and scapegoated protesters, and their laws have enabled the passing of draconian sentences on people making their voices heard through non-violent protest. The new government must turn the page on this bleak period and scrap the anti-protest restrictions in the Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, the Public Order Act 2023 and the Serious Disruption Regulations.
The new government has the opportunity to change the course of the road to repression. Call on the new Home Secretary to scrap anti-protest laws today.
***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 16th 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
TODAY, 16th August, 6pm (immediately after the vigil), Peterloo Memorial
is the annual commemoration of Peterloo with the “Reading of the Names” of those killed. The Peterloo Memorial has compass points linking Manchester to government attacks on peaceful protest internationally, such as Amritsar, Sharpeville, the Bogside, Derry and Tiananmen Square.
All welcome.
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
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.
Gaza Nights Cabaret - Manchester Edition
Niamos Radical Arts Centre, Warwick Street, Hulme, Manchester M15 5EU
Friday 30 August 2024 18:30 Doors, 19:30 Showtime
An evening of music, theatre, comedy, poetry and more from a team of Palestinians and supporters of Palestine. In aid of Amplify Gaza Stories who are working with people and local NGOs inside Gaza, to support community resilience through food, psychosocial support and other work. Ticket available here.
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
Congo - After suspending its activities in July 2024 following a report by Amnesty International a month earlier, on 5 August 2024 the Minister of Environment decided to open a technical investigation into Mettsa Congo, a subsidiary of India's Mettsa that produces lead plate for export, due to the risks caused to the environment by its recycling facilities, located 50 meters from a school.
Mozambique - On 8 August 2024, six police officers were sentenced to three months in prison for the killing of six protesters on 3 November 2020. While these sentences are extremely lenient, they are regarded as a historic step in the fight against impunity.
Saudi Arabia - On August 8, 2024, the Special Court of Appeal, which deals with terrorism, overturned the death sentence of Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, a 55-year-old retired teacher who was sentenced to death on July 9, 2023 for content posted on social media. Al-Ghamdi will have to be tried again. Amnesty International continues to call for his release.
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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