Group 37 March meeting

Sunday, March 21st — 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Join us for our regular monthly meeting on Sunday, March 21st, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. We will share updates on our current casework and activities in defense of human rights around the world.

All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided.

Center for Victims of Torture
717 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN

Map & Directions

2010 Human Rights Essay Contest

AI USA Group 315 in the Western Twin Cities Suburbs is again sponsoring a human rights essay contest open to any Minnesota student in grades 9-12. The essay topic this year is:

Discuss the use of the sentence of “Life without Parole” for offenses committed by children in the United States and why it should be abolished.

Deadline for submissions is April 12, 2010.

Find out more, including contest rules and submission details, on our Essay Contest page.

Amnesty joining International Women's Day Celebration at Coffman Union on March 6

Several Twin Cities Amnesty International chapters are participating in this year's International Women's Day celebration at the University of Minnesota's Coffman Union on March 6th.

The event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and features speakers, films, workshops, and more. Amnesty members will staff a table to show off our efforts on behalf of the Women of Atenco, human trafficking, and maternal mortality. AI will also be publicizing the movie that we will sponsor at this year's Minneapolis/St Paul International Film Festival: “Fatal Promises” — a documentary about human trafficking.

Volunteers and visitors alike are encouraged to stop by the Amnesty booth. Volunteers should contact Aaron at aaron@aistpaul.org.

The event will take place at Coffman Union, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis MN 55455.

More info at the Minnesota Advocates event web page.

Join us for Group 37's Minneapolis Amnesty Meetup

Tuesday, March 9 — 7:00 p.m.

Join other Amnesty members and friends for a casual, agenda-free social meetup on the second Tuesday of each month. Free flowing conversation about our shared interests. Common Roots Cafe, 2558 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis MN 55405. Beer, wine, coffee, and food available. Look for the Amnesty International logo at our table.

Politically-linked massacre strikes Philippines

Following a massacre in Maguindanao province in November 2009 that left at least 57 people dead, Amnesty International has called on the Philippine government to ensure that witnesses are protected and vital forensic evidence is safeguarded to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The massacre is linked to upcoming elections in the Philippines.

• Witness protection needed to ensure justice for Philippines massacre victims (27 November 2009)
• Philippines election massacre must be investigated as death toll rises (24 November 2009)

The Philippines human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights) has recently released their 2009 report (2.8 MB PDF) on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

Heroes and Villains exhibit and Amnesty International benefit a great success

On Thursday, March 26th, local artist Louisa Greenstock held an opening for her exhibit of paintings, Heroes and Villains. The event included a silent auction to benefit Amnesty International’s work. Local Amnesty members participated in the event and were on hand to talk with guests about our work.

Between the silent auction and donations at the door, nearly $900 was raised to support our valuable human rights work. In addition, we collected signatures on petitions related to human rights concerns in the United States, the Philippines, Egypt, and Paraguay, and distributed background information about these cases and how to get involved.

Thanks to Brian Madson, Wendy Diedrich, Lotti Matkovits, Ardes Johnson, Debbie Andreson, and Gabe Ormsby for participating, to Brit’s Pub for hosting, and special thanks to Louisa Greenstock for donating a painting and inviting us to join in this delightful event!

Group 37 members hold vigil for Troy Davis

Despite stay, continued action vital

Group 37 members held a vigil at the Lake Street and Marshall Avenue bridge in Minneapolis-Saint Paul on Wednesday, October 22nd, to draw attention to the upcoming execution of Troy Davis, scheduled for October 27th by the State of Georgia (later delayed by a temporary stay of execution issued by a federal Court of Appeals.). Serious concerns about the fairness of his trial have been raised, and Georgia may be preparing to kill an innocent man.

Act to prevent this execution!

Learn more about Troy Davis and how to help prevent his execution at the Amnesty International USA web site.

Read more about the case and view pictures from the October 22nd rally.

China: Help Gao Zhisheng

Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has not been seen since 22 September of last year. His family has been unable to confirm his whereabouts. It is possible that Gao was detained by members of the State Security Bureau, but the Chinese authorities have made no official announcement of his detention. Amnesty International is concerned that Gao Zhisheng's safety is at grave risk.

Download this action (PDF, 107 KB)

Please note that action is still important, despite the closing date indicated in the document.

Take action: Sudan

The University of Minnesota Law School Amnesty International Student Chapter has taken up the cause of a fellow classmate and they invite you to join the movement. Gabriel Kou Solomon, a Sudanese expatriate and graduate student at the University, received word that on October 3 his two nieces were abducted from a family home in Southern Sudan.

Find out how you can help.

Hope in a Time of Despair

A celebration of our 30 years defending human rights and a call to action

On Friday, October 27th, 2006, Group 37 members, friends and guests celebrated 30 years of defending human rights in the Twin Cities, recognized and thanked our founder David Weissbrodt and other long-time volunteers, and looked toward the future. A forum devoted to the human rights concerns surrounding the current "War on Terror" featured human rights experts Dr. Steven Miles, Barbara Frey, James Dorsey, and Holly Ziemer.

Pictures and more about the event...

Collaborative Event draws attention to Guantanamo Detainees

On Friday and Saturday, May 5th and 6th, 2006, Amnesty volunteers joined Laura Winton and Crisis Point Theatre for an overnight performance piece at Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis.

Our goal was to raise awareness of the situation faced by hundreds of people held at the US detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where they have been held without charge or access to lawyers or their families for five years.

View photos and learn more about the event...

Amnesty International’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

Amnesty International undertakes research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.