[anax]

I'm just back from the meeting to set up the Alford Amnesty Group, and I'm excited by the enthusiasm of its members.... we were only a friendly few, but I had a strong sense we all liked getting good things done and having fun doing it.

At this first meeting we had Alison, the area co-ordinator for Amnesty International, up from Dunbar who gave us a good run-down of Amnesty's history. She explained how writing a few letters or emails can effectively address injustices around the world... and let those wrongly imprisoned know they have not been forgotten.

We then got down to organising our first post-card campaign that's part of the 'Stop Violence Against Women' campaign.

If you're in the area, why not come along or get in touch. It needn't take much of your time at all.

We are going to meet
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St Andrews Episcopal Church (on Main Street at the junction with Montgarrie Road opposite the wee Coop)

[BillyF]

Perfect - saw the sign on the Haughton door but was wearing an Israeli Defence Force T-Shirt so thought it was probably be best not to enter as everybody knows that Amnestey are anti Semetic and there would have been a hight chance of violence from all the cardigan wearers.

I hope somebody mentioned the fact that our own indigenous scroungers have been thrown off the street by Romanian scroungers now. I trust Amnestey will stand up for the rights of our local down and outs.

When is the next meeting? Myself and a few of my mates would be very interested in joining up to give the organisation some balance as at the minute it is seen as being far too left wing, wishy washy and anti everything British.

[anax]

We welcome all new members who want to make a real difference to injustices and abuses of human rights around the world.

I'd like to keep this thread to discussion about the group and the group's events and meetings. You are welcome to start a new discussion in another area to discuss Amnesty International generally.

The next meeting is planned for Wednesday 20th at a venue to be confirmed.

[farmloon]

[BillyF]

[Glesgalass]

[Somersal]

In reply to Billy F's comments about Amnesty International - perhaps a look at the web page at Amnesty International Report 2007 could help to lay some of these incorect accusations to rest. Or perhaps the web page for Amnesty Scotland on www.amnesty.org.uk will help to 'fill in the picture' about Amnesty's work here in Scotland.

I have been involved in Amnesty's work for 12 years and know that Amnesty does what it says:

AI’s vision is for every person to enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

AI’s mission is to conduct research and take action to prevent and end grave abuses of all human rights – civil, political, social, cultural and economic. From freedom of expression and association to physical and mental integrity, from protection from discrimination to the right to shelter – these rights are indivisible.

AI has 2.2 million members and supporters in more than 150 countries and territories. Funded largely by its membership and public donations, AI is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for investigating and campaigning against human rights abuses. [quote from AI web page]

We, Alford Amnesty Group, welcome people who wish to express their opinions, under a non violent umbrella of cooperation, and to encourage all full use of their human rights

Somersal

[Somersal]

We are up and running as we have found a venue for our meetings!! Thanks very much to Ann at St Andrews Espicopal Church for allowing us to meet in the Church. So the meetings are:

Every 3rd Wednesday of each month
At 7.30pm
At St Andrews Episcopal Church (on Main Street at the junction with Montgarrie Road opposite the wee Coop)

We welcome anyone on a one-off or as a regular attender too our meetings - come and see how we help people around the world, and in Scotland, enjoy their human rights.

Somersal

[weequine]

save the human !

[anax]

A wee reminder that the next meeting of the Alford Amnesty Group is on tomorrow evening (Wednesday, 20th, June), 7.30pm at St Andrews Episcopal Church.

Hope to see you there