MINUTES of Amnesty Meeting 14 July 2007
Present: Greg Szanto, Matt Wilkinson, Miriam Miklaszewska, Jill Ritzena, Ruth Van Herpen, Sarah Smith.
Apologies: Clare Szanto, Connie Hunter, Denise Capell.
Feedback: Taking Liberties. Thanks to everyone who helped out and to Roy for putting on the film at the Curzon.
The ‘Save Omar’ stall. Agreed that this was a worthwhile exercise and thanks again to everyone who helped including Angie and her friends. Many people showed interest and signed the petition to David Milliband. Point made that if we run stalls we do need more people to be involved even if for a short time. Action: Email members to ask for greater involvement.
Refugee vigil. Poorly attended and little publicity. Looked at alternatives for the future.
Campaigning: ‘Save Omar’. Agreed that we would concentrate on this until October when we would start campaigning on China. Decided to run another stall on 4 August, outside Barclays bank again at 10.30 am. Sarah and Miriam to get postcards and prepare stickers or addresses. Also contact Angie.
Suggested protest at Starbucks as they provide coffee for Guantanamo Bay.
China. Suggestions included sending Emails to Google and Yahoo; running a stall to raise awareness concerning Google – Matt and Miriam to research this and report to next meeting; write to Herald about Mayor’s China visit – Email Peter Wilkinson re his template letter; protest on October 10 which is World Day Against Death Penalty with focus on China – get resources from AI, maybe nooses, coffins etc.
Speaker from Brighton’s ‘Voices in the Wilderness’ campaign: Agreed we would like this. Queried timing to ensure school holidays wouldn’t prevent people coming to meeting.
A.O.B.: Matt suggested stall at the Freshers’ Fair at Brighton Univ., Eastbourne campus in September. He will look into this.
Next Meeting: Sat. 11 August 10.30 am, Parish Rooms, Our Lady of Ransom, Grange Road.
MINUTES
of AMNESTY
MEETING 9th JUNE 2007
Present: Denise Capell, Alex Hough, Patty Hoskin, Connie Hunter, Mary
Matar, Miriam Miklaszewska, Connie Montague- Burrows, Angie Roche,
Sarah Smith, Clare Szanto, Greg Szanto, Ruth Van Herpen Matt Wilkinson,
Peter Watkinson,
Apologies: Sue Cole
The Save Omar campaign
Louise Purbrick of the Save Omar Campaign in Brighton gave a very
inspiring and informative talk about the Save Omar campaign. She
described Omar’s background and his current situation as well
as the actions that are being taken on his behalf. The group felt that
our support of this campaign, focussing on Omar, would highlight the
plight of all the detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
It was decided to join with Eastbourne Peace and Justice and have a
stall at Bankers corner on the 7th July. Their focus is the 1000 days
since the invasion of Iraq. Since Guatanamo Bay is a direct result of
the ‘war on terror’ then information about the Save
Omar Campaign will link in well.
Information about Omar can be found on: www.save-omar.org.uk
Clare will send a photo of the meeting with a press release to the
local paper.
China
It was reported in the local press that Mayor Belsey was fostering
‘cultural and educational’ links with China.
However it was noted that Mike Reid of the local Chamber of Commerce
had accompanied him on his visit to China. Clare wrote a letter on
behalf of the group to the local press expressing concern that we may
be opening up trading links with China and seeking assurance that this
will not the case. There has been no response to this letter. We should
ensure that this issue stays ‘live’ Follow up
correspondence will ask why there was no response, pointing out that
although Colin Belsey is no longer Mayor, he is a member of the council
and has a duty to reply to public concerns.
June 18 – 24
Refugee week (www.refugeeweek.org.uk)
Clare wrote to the manager of the Curzon Cinema to see if a film could
be shown for the week. The manager answered that this was not possible
(wrong time etc) but we should contact him if there were any other
films we would like screened on the future. Clare will write to the
manager asking if ‘Taking Liberties’ could be
screened.
A vigil will be held on the steps of the Town Hall at 5.30pm on June
22nd. Please bring tea lights. Clare to get material from the Refugee
Week website and advertise in ‘Down Your Way’ and
Active East.
Next meeting
July 14th 10.30am Parish Centre Our Lady of Ransom Grange Road
MINUTES
OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
MEETING Saturday 14 April 2007
PRESENT: Greg Szanto, Clare Szanto, Matt Wilkinson, Jill Ritzena.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: David White, Sheila O’Neill, Patty
Hoskin, Mark Somerfield, Miriam and others.
1. Jill talked about the possibility of putting on an event at Sussex
Downs.
2. Discussion about Guantanamo Bay. Suggestions included arranging a
meeting with a talk or talks from a prisoner and/or a member of the
Brighton Group at the Underground Theatre at the Library. Contacting
the Brighton Group in any event and arranging publicity with Sovereign
Radio, the Argus etc.
3. Discussed campaigning for individuals at risk and adopt a prisoner.
4. China. Agreed to write to local paper about abuse of human rights,
especially in the context of the Mayor’s recent visit.
5. Agreed that we need a calendar of events in order to plan future
campaigns.
6. Matt expressed concern about this country’s participation
in rendition.
7. A.O.B. None.
8. Next meeting: Saturday 12 May 2007 at 10.30 am, Parish Rooms, Our
Lady of Ransom.
MINUTES
OF AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL MEETING February 10th 2007
Present:, Sue Cole, Jane Hoadley, Elizabeth Jenks, Miriam Miklaszewska,
Anna Morse, Clare Szanto, Matt Wilkinson
Apologies: Sara Castledine, Patty Hoskin, Gill Northcott, Jill Ritzena,
Mark Summerfield,
Greg Szanto, Susan Taylor, David White James Ward, Carol Wilkinson,
Peter Wilkinson,
Training
Nora Cranston, the Amnesty trainer, was due to lead a training
session/workshop on campaigning on Guantanamo Bay. However she phoned
just before the beginning of the meeting to tell us that her train had
been delayed due to a fatality on the line and she would be at least an
hour late. We agreed that the session should be postponed and held on
10th March.
Report on the Regional
conference Jan 27
Clare gave some feedback on the Conference. The key speaker, Craig
Murray, gave a very powerful talk about his experiences as ambassador
in Uzbekistan. He was sacked when he refused to be complicit in the
refusal of the Foreign Office to denounce the corruption of the
Uzbekistan government and their appalling human rights record. He
described the geo- political reasons for the UK /USA’s
position. His book ‘Murder in Samarkand’ is well
worth a read and Clare has asked the library to stock it. The second
speaker, Ko Aung, who had been a prisoner of conscience in Burma, also
gave a very moving testimony which included a description of the
terrible torture he had suffered. He pleaded with everybody to
discourage tourism to Burma. Greg went to the workshop on campaigning
for individuals at risk and Clare went to the abortion and reproductive
rights workshop.
A Brainstorming Session
In the absence of the trainer we held a skills/ talents/ interests/
network session to identify the resources we had within the group that
could enrich our activities! What a magic bunch we are! Among us we
have: skills in acting, both professionally and in street theatre, cake
baking, networking. In terms of networking opportunities we have links
with: churches, the underground theatre, CAFOD, political groups,
Fairtrade, Eastbourne Peace and Liberty, the Polish community and more.
The thing to learn from this is that everybody will have links with
communities of interest, as well as geography, that they can use to
make people more aware of Amnesty. More links with other churches and
schools should be made, as well as giving support to existing school
groups. Amnesty does offer training on giving talks if anyone feels
brave enough to do this! Jane and Sue told us about the market in East
Dean which is very well attended and offers an opportunity to sell
cakes for fundraising ( possibly) as well as display literature.
NEXT MEETING DATES:
Saturday 10th March 10.30 am
Venue: Parish Centre, Our Lady of Ransom, Grange Road
MINUTES
OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
MEETING 13TH JANUARY 2007
Present: Sara Castledine, Patty Hoskin, Connie Hunter,
Elizabeth
Jenks, Anna Morse, Jill Ritzena, Clare Szanto, Greg Szanto, Susan
Taylor, Ruth Van Herpen, June Lipka, James Ward, David White. Matt
Wilkinson, Carol Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson,
Apologies: Nick Donald, Fr Seamus Hester, Gill Northcott, Mark
Summerfield,
ACTION FOR THE MONTH
Letters and information concerning ‘Blood
Diamonds’ were circulated.
The Darfur Campaign
The posters are now on display in the church hall in readiness for the
concert. Elizabeth Jenks will investigate the possibility of using the
Underground Theatre when it has opened.
Amnesty Concert
The concert by the Renaissance Singers will be held in the Church of
Our Lady of Ransom at 3.00pm; the songs and readings will reflect the
theme of peace and human rights. Proceeds to Amnesty.
The abortion and
reproductive rights issue
Everyone present shared their views on this issue and the
questionnaires were given out. The deadline for returning the abortion
consultation questionnaires is February 6. Questionnaires can also be
filled out online, the website address is: www.amnesty.org.uk/consult
where there is also more information on the topic. One of the
slots at the Regional Conference on Jan 27 will be given over to this
but people can send in the form without having attended a group
discussion.
Guatanamo Bay –
5th anniversary
Carol and Peter Wilkinson took part in the demo in London; they
described their experiences which sounded scary but illuminating. As a
local group we want to do something to bring this issue to public
attention.
Training
Nora Cranston, an Amnesty trainer, will be leading a training
session/workshop on campaigning at the next meeting in February. It was
decided to ask Nora to give a session on campaigning on Guatanamo Bay.
Regional conference Jan 27
Greg and Clare and Peter and Carol are going to the conference. If
anyone else wants to attend please let Clare know so that we can lift
share.
NEXT MEETING DATES:
Saturday 10th February 10.30 am
Venue: Parish Rooms Our Lady of Ransom
MINUTES
OF
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEETING 9TH DECEMBER 2006
Present: Nick Donald, Fr Seamus Hester, Patty Hoskin, Connie
Hunter, Mary Matar, Gill Northcott, Jill Ritzena, Representative of AI
at Moira House, Clare Szanto, Greg Szanto, Susan Taylor, David White
ACTION FOR THE MONTH
Letters and information concerning the Child Soldiers of the
DCR were circulated.
The Darfur Campaign
We have received a pack of photos and information about the
Darfur campaign. Jill very kindly offered to give the group display
boards which we can use to mount and display the photos and use in the
future for campaigns. Discussion followed as to the best venues for the
display. It was decided to have various venues for the display and
ensure that if possible someone from the group would be available to
answer questions and sign people up to join AI. Venues suggested were
the Library, two local coffee shops, the Parish rooms at Our Lady of
Ransom, the Friends Meeting House. We need to arrange a timetable for
both venues and a rota of people. Fr Seamus offered the use of OLR and
Jill offered to ask the library.
FUTURE EVENTS
Sunday 14th January 2007
A concert for Amnesty by the Renaissance Singers will be held
in the Church of Our Lady of Ransom at 3.00pm; the songs and readings
will reflect the theme of peace and human rights.
Training
AI offer training on various aspects of campaigning including
workshops. It was decided to get in touch with Farshid, the AI group
co-ordinator to ask if we could have either a training morning/
workshop on some aspect of campaigning or a speaker on one of our
chosen areas of interest – The Death Penalty, Torture and
Guatanamo Bay or China.
NEXT MEETING DATES: Saturday 13th January 2007 10.30 am
Venue: Parish Rooms Our Lady of Ransom
MINUTES
OF
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEETING 11TH NOVEMBER 2006
PRESENT: Greg Szanto, Matt Wilkinson, Sheila O’Neill, Susan
Taylor, Mary Matar, Gill Northcott, Mark Summerfield, Patty Hoskin,
Jane Hoadley, John Markwick, Sheila Markwick, Carol Wilkinson, Peter
Wilkinson, Lizann Peppard, John Peppard.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Clare Szanto.
1. Greg Szanto introduced Lizann Peppard, the AI Regional Organiser who
talked to the meeting about the resources and help that was
available to branches.
2. Lizann began by telling the meeting about the general organisation
of AI, including the structure of HQ and other groups. Resources
include training and speakers who are available to come to branches;
training conferences held at HQ in London; the Regional Conference on
27 January 2007 and the AGM in Edinburgh. She then talked
about
publicity and recruiting, with suggestions of appointing a Press
Officer to deal with the media, giving talks to schools, producing a
newsletter, E-mail contact.
Campaigns to raise awareness and attract new members include
letter writing in the town centre, contacting local celebrities, MP etc
for support. Fundraising. We need to raise a minimum of
£72
a year. Street collections, sponsored walks, art sales were offered as
examples. Members were asked to take on specific roles.
Contact with AI and other branches can be made by joining
AI’s host website. Lizann was thanked for a
stimulating and
inspiring presentation which members much appreciated.
3. Action for the Month.
This month’s action highlights the problems for rejected
asylum
seekers in the UK. Greg outlined the situation and distributed
guidance sheets and letters to MPs which members are encouraged to send.
4. The Greeting Card Campaign. Cards will be signed at 3 pm on Saturday
2 December in the Parish Rooms at OLR. Everyone welcome. The campaign
was discussed and leaflets distributed to members.
5. The Amnesty Party.
This will be at 8 pm on 9 December at 16 Stuart Avenue, Eastbourne.
Invitations were handed out and members are very welcome. Any
contributions of food or drink would also be very welcome.
6. A.O.B.
Matt Wilkinson took a photograph of members and it was agreed
that a press release about the meeting would be sent to the
Eastbourne Herald. It was suggested that the branch be included in the
‘Clubs and Societies’ section of the Herald.
7. Date of next meeting. 9 December 2006 at 10.30 am at
Parish Rooms, OLR, Eastbourne.