Friday, December 9, 2016

AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update - December 9, 2016

 Greetings Everyone!   
     This week we will be celebrating Human Rights Day. For Amnesty International members December 10th is a special day. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights! Many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack.What can we do? At this time every year, Amnesty supporters write millions of letters on behalf of those whose basic human rights are under attack. Although The Write for Rights Campaign continues this long tradition of writing letters, today this effort also includes online petitions, emails, Facebook posts, tweets, cards, and photo actions. Amnesty says, "Write like someone's life depends on it." Help us make a real difference! Our Group #139 will mail your letters. Please send them to 350 South Hamilton Street, Unit 501, Madison, WI  53703 or send them electronically to Azamnrad@gmail.com. All of our Write for Rights cases can be found here.
   Also this week, we invite you to honor and remember victims of gun violence on Wednesday, December 14. #LightLA is part of the Newton Action Alliance and is sponsored by IHERC, an organization by one of our members, Farideh Kioumehr. Where ever you are in the world, light a candle on a window ledge, reflect, remember, and share with the world. Candle-lit photos can be emailed to IHERC at info@iherc.org until Dec 14 and this effort can be spread through social media using the hashtag #LightLA.
     We would like to welcome the following NEW MEMBERS who joined us in November 2016: Ali (Australia), Melody (WI), Zohreh (TX), Elika (CA), Erica (WI), Jennifer (WI), Rosanne (WI). Please do not hesitate to ask questions or contribute human rights petitions, news items, events, videos, or other actions. Just send them to Azam at
azamnrad@gmail.com     IMPORTANT: We are looking for some volunteers to expand our social media outreach. Help us from the comfort of your home and work with Azam and Debbie. If you are interested, please contact Azam at azamnrad@gmail.com
     My cold virus has moved on to infect some other unlucky soul and, in Madison, we are expecting even more snow. Well, it is December! Thank you to so many of you who have sent me emails of encouragement while I provide care for my mother and mother-in-law during this last part of their lives. There is no other place that I would rather be than by their sides.
     Peace to All,
     -Debbie, Weekly Update Editor
Click here for links to this week's Amnesty International and Human Rights Information and Actions.