Weekly Action and News 17/05/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do these actions and make a difference
READ
Amnesty’s press release for Nakba day (15 May)
WATCH AT HOME
BBC Film: The Other War. This is a brave journalist’s report on conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank. It was hidden away on BBC 3, but is available on i-Player.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001ytzd/the-other-war [bbc.co.uk]
WATCH AT THE CINEMA
More tickets have been released for the acclaimed film Gaza Fights for Freedom. Saturday 18 May at 8pm at Savoy Cinema, Heaton Moor. Part of the Manchester Palestine Film Festival. https://www.mcrpalff.org/ [mcrpalff.org]
WRITE
Please continue to write to your MP. See last week’s action (10 May).
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 17th 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.
Our next appeal-writing drop in session will take place on
Saturday 25th May 2-4pm, Manchester Central Library, in the area behind the café.
As well as writing appeals, we will be making key-shaped postcards highlighting human rights abuses in the UAE to send to the Manchester City chairman. All materials for letter writing and key-making will be provided. If you prefer to send emails or tweets, bring your device. Wifi available.
There is no need to stay for the full 2 hours, although writing appeals, meeting group members, and chatting over a tea or coffee makes a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
Anne Walker has been running the appeal-writing sessions for many years and would like to hand this task over to another member, so that she can focus on her regional rep activities.
If you are interested in taking it on, please contact her on anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
On Monday 20th May, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, there will be a hearing to decide whether Julian Assange will be allowed a further appeal against extradition. If he loses, extradition could occur immediately. Proceedings will be livestreamed on Youtube, X and Facebook from 8.30am @FreeAssangeNews. More information from
Lima Al-iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com or Danny Jones dannyj644@gmail.com
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
MANCHESTER COACH TO STOP ARMING ISRAEL – SHUT ELBIT DOWN
Monthly protest outside UAV Engines in Shenstone, Staffs that makes the engines for Elbit drones Tuesday 28th May 11am – 1pm Chorlton St Coach station at 8.20am returning by 4pm.
Tickets £10 or £15 solidarity price. Contact Anne via WhatsApp 07910862370 to book your place.
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 PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL
18th and 31st May, The Savoy Cinema, Heaton Moor
Gaza Fights for Freedom (18/5); 200 metres (31/5).
After it sold out, more tickets have been released for the acclaimed film Gaza Fights for Freedom. https://www.mcrpalff.org/
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
Network for Police Monitoring.
“In our millions”
Netpol's new report on the policing of Palestine protests is launching on
Thursday 30 May, 6.30-8.00pm, online. Book your free ticket now to join the livestream.
Good news
Lesotho - Following urgent action by Amnesty International, the Ministry of Law and Justice has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the torture of a group of detainees in Maseru Capital Prison on 21 and 22 December 2023.
United States of America - On May 6, 2024, thanks to a new law in force in the state of Ohio according to which those with serious health problems cannot be put to death, Stanley Fitzpatrick's conviction was overturned. The execution had been set for 2018, 2020 and 2023 but blocked due to the refusal of pharmaceutical companies to give lethal injection products.
UK – On May 10, in response to a pre-action letter brought by Asylum Aid, the Home Office conceded that it had made an error of interpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act (enacted 25/04/24) when issuing its Safety of Rwanda policy on 29/04/24. The Home Office did not concede a second point in Asylum Aid’s letter, which will now proceed to judicial review.
UK – On May 13, 2024, a High Court judge ruled that the government’s Rwanda deportation policy should not apply in Northern Ireland because it undermines human rights protections guaranteed in the region under post-Brexit arrangements. Parts of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 were also deemed incompatible with provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
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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