Weekly Action and News 26/05/2023
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
You will remember that last year mass protests broke out in Sri Lanka as the country plunged into the worst economic crisis in post-independence history. Shortages of essential items, including food and fuel, and rising inflation prompted urgent demands for the government to take responsibility. The crackdown was swift and severe. Police used unnecessary and excessive force, including misuse of water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition. At least three protesters died, and hundreds were arrested. Since then, Sri Lanka's government has continued to use unlawful force. Police have unlawfully arrested peaceful protesters, sometimes flouting due process safeguards and slapping draconian terror charges on protesters. Amnesty is calling on President Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately stop the repression, intimidation and reprisals against peaceful protesters.
Letter writing drop in, 2-4pm, Saturday 27th May, Manchester Central Library, in the area at the back of the café
We will have appeal writing on LGBT rights in Uganda, the death penalty in Iran and the USA, a prisoner of conscience in Israel and Ahmed Mansoor in UAE. Paper, pens and information will be provided. If you prefer to write emails or to tweet, please bring your own device. Wifi is available.
There will also be the opportunity to make some orange hearts out of felt and fabric for our refugee month activities. Materials and instructions will be provided.
Come along for all or part of the time and get involved in this key aspect of Amnesty’s work.
It is always an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
There will be an Amnesty stall in support of Julian Assange at the Fiesta de Las Artes, at the Bread Shed/Sand Bar on Grosvenor Street, M1 7HL on 10th June. If you are able to help with the stall for a couple of hours, while enjoying the music and other attractions at the festival, please contact Lima Al-Iskalachi limakazoor@gmail.com. More information about the festival can be found here
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/fiesta-de-las-artes/730283308455585/
Volunteers needed to help with our refugee week event 24th /25th June!
We will be hanging fabric hearts, handing out information and talking to people in several of the beautiful gardens open to the public for Chorlton Open Gardens
If you could spare an hour or two to help out on either of the days, please let Alison Wearden know (alison.wearden@gmail.com).
To celebrate his 75th birthday,
and in aid of the Saddleworth Palestinian Women’s scholarship fund (SPWSF)
our member Steve Roman invites you to a magnificent evening of entertainment entitled
“Paul Robeson – the giant in a nutshell”
at the Birch Community Centre in Rusholme on Saturday 17th June at 7:30pm.
Featuring Tayu Aluko, the Obsidian Rock Band, and with a global buffet supper and pay bar.
Proceeds to the SPWSF. More information and get your tickets here:
https://www.wegottickets.com/sct/Gkfp3kRzRW
Dates for upcoming campaigning events. We have a very busy schedule for June!
Contact alison.wearden@gmail.com if you want more information about any of these events, or if you want to volunteer to get involved.
Sunday June 4th – Refugee month event at Burnage Open Gardens
Saturday June 10th – Climate and human rights, COP28, UAE/craftivism event at Didsbury Festival
Friday June 16th – stall at Manchester Metropolitan University summer sustainability fair.
Saturday June 17th – Steve Roman’s birthday / Saddleworth Palestine Women’s Scholarship fund.
Saturday, June 24th Amnesty International UK Section, AGM, London/online. More details to follow.
Sat/Sun June 24/25 – Refugee week events at Chorlton Open Gardens.
Saturday 1st July (tbc) – Israeli Apartheid Street Exhibition, Manchester
Sunday July 16th- UAE/Craftivism event – Arab Arts Festival, Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Good news
Taiwan - On May 15, 2023, the Legislative Assembly approved a bill that will allow same-sex couples to adopt girls and boys.
Iran - On May 21, 2023, after 47 days of detention, Mohammad Habibi, a spokesperson for the Tehran teachers' union, was released on bail.
Manchester Amnesty Subgroups and other work
If you would like to join any of our subgroups, please contact the current convenors for joining details.
UAE –please contact Kathryn Fletcher if you would like to join, bussk@btinternet.com
Refugees –please contact Alison Wearden, if you would like to join alison.wearden@gmail.com
Anti-racism –please contact Hazel Errey if you would like to join hazelerrey@gmail.com
Craftivism –please contact Kathryn Fletcher if you would like to join bussk@btinternet.com . Kathryn will be stepping down as craftivism coordinator so if you would like to take on this role, please let her know.
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly letter writing drop ins) Next session, Saturday, 27th May 2-4pm, then 4th Saturday in July, September, November. Manchester Central Library, café area. Contact Anne Walker for more information anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
Other areas of work are led by:
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride coordinator – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey, Fatih Segmen, fsegmen@yahoo.com
Human Rights in the UK, Lancine Sacko, sacko10@hotmail.co.uk
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.
0 comments