Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tuesday Nov 3: Individuals At Risk

Hey guys,



We hope you all have had a fun and relaxing Fall Break. For tomorrow, we are going to combine our meeting with Clarke Central High school's Peace Jam group. We will be writing letters about jailed journalists and talking with the students about life in general. The meeting will held at Little Italy at 6:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you all there!



Best,

Nima

Nimapt@uga.edu


Eli

Lilae@uga.edu

Photo Exhibit: “Become a Citizen of the World”

“Become a Citizen of the World” Photo Exhibit to benefit Amnesty International:
So many of us in college have had the chance to visit other parts of the world. In those travels, we gain sensitivity to the diversity and richness of humanity. With that view of the world, Amnesty International is hosting a photo exhibit to showcase people around the world. Amnesty International is an organization dedicated to the fighting injustices globally. We hope that with this exhibit to excite people about cultures everywhere and encourage people to join the movement of promoting peace and justice. We will be selling the pictures on a donation basis to raise money for Amnesty International and their campaigns.


If you have photos from around the world that you would like to donate, please turn them into Memorial Hall (the Amnesty mailbox) or Moore College 216 by November 9th. You could also bring the pictures to our meeting tonight at Little Italy or our meeting next week in Journalism. If you feel inspired to mount or frame them however you think best displays them, feel free! The idea is to have pictures of the people in other countries (not just you!), so turn in pictures that say something about the culture you visited. Please write the country on the back of the photo. Thanks!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Tuesday Oct 20, Maternal Healthcare. Journalism 516, 6:00 PM

Hey everyone, 

 In continuing with our month's focus on womens rights, tomorrows meeting will focus on maternal healthcare. 

 More than half a million die annually in childbirth, that's one death every minute. Globally, almost all cases of maternal mortality are preventable. About 74% of all maternal deaths could have been avoided had the women had access to proper treatment that would assist in birth complications.  Maternal mortality has until recently been a neglected issue. Currently 99% of these cases are plagueing low income countries like Sierra Leone, Peru and Nicaragua, and tomorrow we will discuss maternal healthcare issues in these regions. 

 Considering death on this scale is preventable, all measures should be taken by these governments to ensure sound policies that don't neglect, devalue and discriminate against women. Come out tomorrow to write action letters urging government officials in these countries to make a change. 

 Meeting are held Tuesday in Journalism Room 516 at 6:00 PM 

 Best,
Nima Patel
Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco
Lilae@uga.edu

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Film: "Lumo" Oct. 6, MLC 171 6:00 PM


Hey everyone,


Next week we officially begin our month of campaigning for women's rights. We'll start the month off with a film capturing the story of a young Congolese woman in recovery at a hospital for rape victims. The following is a synopsis pulled from the producer's website:

The agonies of war torn Africa are deeply etched in the bodies of women. In eastern Congo, vying militias, armies and bandits use rape as a weapon of terror.

Recently engaged to a young man from her village, 20 year-old Lumo Sinai couldn’t wait to have children and start a family. But when she crossed paths with marauding soldiers who brutally attacked her, she was left with a fistula— a condition that has rendered her incontinent and threatens her ability to give birth in the future. Rejected by her fiancĂ© and cast aside by her family, Lumo found her way to the one place that may save her: a hospital for rape survivors set on the border with Rwanda.

Buoyed by the love of the hospital staff, and a formidable team of wise women known to all as “the Mamas,” Lumo and her friends keep the hope of one day resuming their former lives, thanks to an operation that can restore them fully to health. A feisty young woman with a red comb perpetually jutting from her hair, Lumo faces the challenge of recovery with remarkable courage and sass. As she and her friends recover from surgery, they pass the days by gossiping and sharing their dreams of one day finding love.

But when it looks like her operation may have failed, Lumo’s faith is thrown entirely into question.

On this uncertain road to recovery, Lumo shows that the solidarity of women can bind the most irreparable of wounds.

We hope everyone can make it to the screening of "Lumo" which will be playing in the MLC from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, October 6.



Nima Patel

Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco

Lilae@uga.edu

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Meeting, Tuesday Sept. 29

Hey everyone,

Tonight we will continue our discussion on the death penalty and focus on international cases and the mentally ill. Come join us to discuss these important issues. Below are a couple of links that give background information.




Nima Patel
Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco
Lilae@uga.edu

Monday, September 21, 2009

Troy Davis Teach-In Tomorrow!

Tomorrow Laura Kagel will be conducting a teach-in for the Troy Davis Case. This case has been a local priority for Amnesty and we hope to get the word out to those of you who aren't familiar with his story.




Laura Kagel who's with Georgians For Alternatives To The Death Penalty and Amnesty International will discuss the Troy Davis case in detail and will answer questions anyone may have.




Please come out and show your support for Troy!
Meetings are in Journalism 516 from 6-7 PM. If you'd like to become more involved in Amnesty stick around for our planning meetings right after the general meetings.






Nima Patel
Nimapt@uga.edu



Eli Tedesco
Lilae@uga.edu

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Film: "At The Death House Door" Sept 15, MLC Rm 171

**UPDATE: Film will be shown in MLC Room 171 from 6:00-8:00 PM.



Hey guys,



Next week we'll be showing a documentary, "At The Death House
Door
," and here's a blurb I pulled from the producer's
website:



--At the Death House Door follows the remarkable career
journey of Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death
house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in
Huntsville, Texas. During that time he presided over 95
executions, including the very first lethal injection done
anywhere in the world. After each execution, Pickett recorded
an audiotape account of that fateful day. The film also tells
the story of Carlos De Luna, a convict whose execution
affected Pickett more than any other. Pickett firmly believed
the man was innocent and two Chicago Tribune reporters turn up evidence that strongly suggests he was right.


This film tackles controversial issues regarding the death penalty, a premier issue for Amnesty International. Soon after its foundation in 1961, Amnesty International began sending appeals to prevent the execution of prisoners of conscience. Over time, its opposition to the death penalty has broadened to include all prisoners, regardless of the crimes of which they have been convicted. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.

Progress has been dramatic in the last few decades. In 1977, only 16 countries had abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Thirty years later, that number had grown to 90.

**UPDATE: Film will be shown in MLC Room 171 from 6:00-8:00 PM.







Nima Patel
Nimapt@uga.edu



Eli Tedesco
Lilae@uga.edu