by Twenty-one years ago, a small group of Amnesty International activists in Poland decided to run a 24-hour letter-writing marathon. This is How Write for Rights has now become the world’s biggest on-going human rights event.
Herkimer College’s Amnesty International Club will be sponsoring this from December 1 through January 31.
People in more than 170 countries and territories take part in all kinds of events by:
- Writing millions of letters, emails and tweets and signing petitions.
- Supporting people who’ve been harassed, threatened, and jailed just for who they are.
- Putting pressure on governments, leaders, and decision-makers.
- Showing love and support for the people (prisoners of conscience) and their families.
- And, making change happen – releasing activists, securing justice for those whose rights have been wronged and protecting people who advocate for change.
Human rights defenders are under threat across the world — they face intimidation, harassment, imprisonment, and even death. It’s up to people like us to speak out against this injustice, and demand that those in power protect the human rights of each and every one of us.
This year, we have ten cases that highlight ongoing crises — from attacks on freedom of expression to unjust imprisonment to brazen suppression of dissent. The letters have been shortened and can be found in this article’s link. The Amnesty International table in the library has materials for writing with free giveaways and drawing tickets.
Read about this year’s cases at: https://write.amnestyusa.org/
IN ADDITION TO LETTERS YOU CAN RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BY SIGNING A PETITION ONLINE BY GOING TO:
https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/114664/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=spgcowst
We are also providing an action on behalf of American Olympian and WNBA Phoenix Mercury center, Brittney Griner, currently held in a Russian penal colony. More information can be found at the table and by going to wearebg.org.
