Truro and Falmouth Amnesty International Group

Minutes of Meeting held on 14^th June 2017

1. : Karen Cooper, Wailim Wong, Margaret George, Linnea Glynne-Rule, Chris Ramsey, Georgie Wong, Chris Clarke.
2. :  Shirley Sweeney, Hetty Tye.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on10 May: 4. Re Pride stall. Chris had heard that HQ will pay for stalls costing more than £100 (ours is £50)
4. Secretary’s report: the Local groups news included action to take on Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe (Margaret to contact S Newton again on this and Chris will write re Human Rights Act). Pride materials are available (Wailim to order some). Kerry Bramhall had sent a link to the Solidarity Campaign Academics for Peace. Chris and Georgie asked to have this sent on to them.
5. Treasurer’s report: Linnea reported that we have £829.01 in the bank. We have recently sent £300 to HQ. We need to do some fund-raising!
6.  

• Georgie reported on Central America. Of the 10 postcards for the 43 disappeared Mexican students put in the cathedral, 5 have gone.
• Chris reported on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He had a new review of the situation from Gary Ettle. A new campaign is starting ‘Occupation at 50’ marking 50 years since the 6-day war and occupation of Gaza. Chris mentioned the problem that the website contains internet campaigns where one can sign on-line but few letters to send. He had brought a letter to sign on behalf of a conscientious objector A Ben Abba who has been repeatedly jailed. The Palestinian hunger strikers have suspended their action and have an agreement that they can have 2 visitors a month. Another Gaza fisherman has been killed by Israeli forces.

1. Future Events:

• Bookstall – Margaret has confirmed we would like Sat 5 August. We need more books, which can be stored at Robin’s.
• Georgie will ask for the Mayor’s coffee morning to be on 22 July.
• We will hope to have a street collection in Truro on 23 or 30 September and Xmas stalls on 25 Nov and 2 or 9 Dec (depending on the date of the Mayor’s charity event where we also have a stall).
• Our refugee photo display is going up in the cathedral and at Highertown church. Arrangements were made to empty the tin in the cathedral daily.
• We are planning another walk on Sunday 16 July. Meet at Bodmin Parkway station, just after 11am. (there is a train leaving Truro at 10.27 arriving at Bodmin at 11.03).
• We have a stall booked for Cornwall Pride on 28 August. Wailim will order materials.

1.  Date of next meeting Wed 12 July, 7pm at Sambells Café, Truro Methodist Church.