Fwd: Weekly Update for DC

[Tony R. Lee]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jennifer Horwitz <JHor...@aiusa.org>
Date: Jan 23, 2008 11:14 AM
Subject: Weekly Update for DC
To:

AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update January 23, 2008 ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.  HOPE FOR HUMANITY
In this issue 1. Highlight 2. Take Action 3. Campaign Updates 4. Opportunities   • National Week of Student Action   • Summer Internships 5. Regional & National Events   • AGM Subsidies   • Group Assessments 6. Local Events   • State Meeting   Calendar 1/25-27: Mid-Atlantic Action Camp 2008: Take the Mystery Out of Recruiting on Your College Campus 2/9: DC State Meeting 3/8: International Women's Human Rights Day 3/31-4/4: National Week of Student Action 4/25-28: AIUSA's Annual General Meeting & National Lobby Day For more information or to add an event to the calendar contact: main...@aiusa.org .	Highlight Sameh Khouzam Freed From Prison! Sameh Khouzam, an Egyptian national who was granted protection under the Convention Against Torture, released from prison after eight years, and then taken back into ICE custody on May 29th, has been released from York County Prison in York, PA. Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action on his behalf after he was taken back into custody to be deported to Egypt.  The US government arrested him on May 29th when he reported in for his regularly scheduled appointments with ICE.  He was told that he would be deported just a few short days later.  You can find more information about his case on Amnesty's website at: http://tinyurl.com/2svzjh As many of you know, Sameh and his mother, Georgette, are both members of our local group 438 here in York, PA.  Many of you have come to know Sameh through working on his case by writing letters to and meeting with elected officials, visiting Sameh in prison, and writing to him to keep his spirits up.  Some of you have met Georgette at a regional conference when she spoke about her son's plight, others heard of Sameh's story at the 2007 regional conference via a recorded phone interview with Sameh. Now is the time for celebration and continued vigilance.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement has the right to appeal and have indicated that that is their plan.   Thank you to everyone for your hard work. Kathleen Lucas York, PA Take Action Darfur Lobby Week: February 25th – 29th The truth is that while the people of the Darfur conflict region continue to face threats to their lives, the Government of Sudan's stalling tactics are preventing peacekeepers from reaching people in need. Visit your Members of Congress and tell them the truth about Darfur. The truth is that while peacekeepers are waiting to be deployed, the international community has failed to step up and provide helicopters and other transport equipment critical to their mission. The truth is that without our voices speaking out against this grave injustice, the truth could be forgotten before the crisis has ended. Join the dialogue; tell your Members of Congress, in person, the truth about Darfur. We need you to apply to be a delegation leader or delegation participant for your community or campus.  Amnesty International will provide you with hands-on and interactive trainings to ensure your effectiveness in congressional advocacy as well as your knowledge of both the obstacles and the goals to ultimately achieving security in Darfur. Take Congressional advocacy into your own hands!
Expert Organizing Tip: Sharing successes is an important part of our human rights work.  Knowing what we've accomplished helps us to keep moving forward.  Share pictures from your successful events on the Mid-Atlantic Region's Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19376367@N04/
Campaign Updates Denounce Torture/War on Terror Reminder: Send in your January 11th Counter Terror With Justice Event Success Stories! Did your group hold an event in recognition of January 11th?  Share how your event went with the region! Send a brief description of your event (when, where, how many people attended, and any highlights) to Jen Horwitz at jhor...@aiusa.org. Individuals At Risk 2007 Global Write-a-thon:  On-Line Evaluation Now Available! This year our Global Write-a-thon proved to be the biggest yet – there were over 3,000 registered participants in the U.S. and more than 400 Write-a-thon events in 49 states. Every letter counts and we want to make sure your letter is counted!  If you participated in the Global Write-a-thon, please take a quick moment to report back on how many letters you sent and fill out our on-line evaluation.  We will be accepting evaluations until Jan 31.  We are also collecting pictures of activists from across the country.  Please email your pictures to write...@aiusa.org.   Opportunities National Week of Student Action Join Youth Activists From Across the Country to Help Close Guantanamo It's that time of year again! National Week of Student Action (NWSA) 2008 is quickly approaching and we need YOUR help. Help us Shut Down Guantánamo by registering to participate in this year's NWSA (March 31- April 4, 2008). Join other student activists in demanding the closure of Guantánamo and release of prisoners unless they are to be charged and tried in accordance with international standards of fair trial. To register your school for the NWSA visit: http://tinyurl.com/3bn5af Summer Internships With Amnesty International Attention all college students interested in a summer internship! Did you know that the Amnesty International office in Washington, DC offers internships for summer, fall, and spring? Now is the time to start thinking about applying for the internship. The deadline to apply for the summer term is March 15th, 2008. The Mid-Atlantic Office currently has 2 spots open for the summer. This is a highly competitive internship program, so we recommend you start preparing early. More information about the requirements for the DC internship program, and other programs in the DC office offering internships, please see the following link: http://tinyurl.com/36ah6p Regional & National Events Annual General Meeting April 25-28, 2008 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Crystal City 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22202 www.amnestyusa.org/agm AGM Early Bird Registration deadline is January 31, 2008 AIUSA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held from April 25-28th, 2008 in the Washington, DC area.  The AGM unites AIUSA members and staff with prominent human rights activists and international guests to provide a forum to discuss AIUSA's initiatives to prevent human rights violations around the world. Register now for this dynamic event and check this page for updates. http://tinyurl.com/2ttjh3 Travel subsidies are available, apply now! Applications are due February 8 and decisions will be made by the following week. Priority will be given to applicants who plan to attend the Lobby Day on Monday, April 28. We are also looking for members who have economic hardship, have never attended an AGM, or are new or emerging volunteer leaders. Don't know if you fit any of those categories? It can't hurt to apply! Please visit www.amnestyusa.org/agm and click on Travel Subsidy Request Form (PDF) on the right. Group Assessments Help us cover costs If your group hasn't yet paid the annual assessment to AIUSA for 2007-2008, we highly encourage you to do so! This helps cover the cost of training, resource materials, and all the other good stuff you get from the AI office throughout the year. To read more about it and find the assessment form visit: www.amnestyusa.org/page.do?id=1341003 Local Events 2008 DC State Meeting – Saturday, February 9th DC State Meeting This year's state meeting will be held at Amnesty International's DC office located at 600 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, 5th Fl, Washington, DC 2003 The state meeting will get started at 10am and run until 4:30pm.  To register for the meeting please and for more information, visit: http://www.idealist.org/en/event/102454-266
For questions or comments please contact the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (MARO) at aiu...@aiusa.org .

Jen Horwitz
Field Organizer - PA, DE, DC
Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 5th Fl
Washington, DC 20003

Phone: 202.544.0200 ext.344
Fax: 202.546.7142

--
Tony R. Lee
OUTfront Coordinator
National Resolutions Committee
AGM Planning Committee
Mid-Atlantic
Amnesty International, USA
tony...@gmail.com
(202) 390-7888 cell
(202) 973-4654 direct/work

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"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist."
-Dom Helder Camara