A fabulous time was had by everyone at the noodle afternoon, held on Sunday 23rd January, in aid of the group’s prisoners of conscience.
Donations were requested and the afternoon raised £163.10p. Our paper petition reached 42 signatures and the online petition just over 100.
A big thank you to Kirstie for hosting
An online petition was launched on 13th January for the Ealing Amnesty Group’s two prisoners of conscience Thao Moua and Pa Fue Khang.
Thao Moua and Pa Fue Khang were arrested in June 2003 in Xieng Khouang Province in Laos, with two European journalists and their Hmong interpreter. The journalists had been researching a news story on ethnic Hmong in the Lao jungle. Thao Moua and Pa Fue Khang, both ethnic Hmong, were local guides for the group.
They were all charged with numerous offences and given long sentances after an apparently politically motivated unfair trial. The journalists and interpreter were sentenced to between 10 and 20 years and deported from Laos. Thao Moua and Pa Fue Khang remain in Samkhe prison, Vientiane, serving sentences of 12 and 15 years respectively.
We are calling on the Lao authorities to review their cases immediately. If there is sufficient evidence against them of wrong doing they should be given a retrial which meets international standards, including a presumption of innocence and the right to legal counsel.
We are also calling on the authorities to ensure that their conditions of detention meet international standards including access to lawyers, relatives, and appropriate medical care.
We aim to gather at least a thousand signatories. Follow this link to sign up
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/justice_for_thao_moua_and_pa_fue_khang_2
Our group had a stall on the 31st of July – 1st of August at the Jazz Festival in Walpole Park.
There were human rights petitions, food and children activities.
Last 27th of June, our group took the streets in Ealing in commemoration of the Tiananmen massacre, happened 20 years ago in China.
Here a couple of photograps and the report from a member:
“We did the China campaign action on Saturday. Attached are a couple of photos.
It felt like it was worth doing and it probably did raise awareness to some extent but the public did appear to me to be a bit wary and reluctant to engage with us – Catherine”
As part of Refuge week Ealing group members participated on 20th of June in the march calling for an end to the destitution of refused asylum seekers.
Here is a report from one of the group members:
“The march was good – I was very pleased with the turnout from our group, as about 5/6 people showed up. We also managed to get our photograph taken with our new banner and Kate Allen ( Director of AI UK). We marched along from Embankment to Trafalgar Square where there were a few speeches and talks. I think it was fantastic that we had a presence there as it was quite a small amount of people overall – Kirstin “
As promised the quiz returns.
Venue: Drayton Court pub, close to West Ealing station
Date: Thursday 3rd December, start 8.30
There is a weekly pub quiz at the Drayton Court, and Becky has got the agreement of the pub to make this particular date a benefit for Ealing Amnesty. Get your team together now, or turn up on the night and join up with others. It is usually full, so you are advised to get there early if you want a seat. Oh, and there are some good quizzers there.
On saturday 27th September 4 ladies dressed in Guantanamo Bay suits and masks were marched through Ealing centre by Nicoletta and I. Heres how it went:
We began by stopping outside Whsmith and old and young were brought to a standstill. Many people took information and asked questions. Lots of people had heard of GB and of Amnesty and were interested. Nicoletta did a sturdy job answering questions. Photos were taken and people gaped. It was brilliant!
I barked orders at the 4 and shouted about the campaigns goals and the misconceptions from the media. People listened!
Children took stickers, young people took leaflets promising to check it out online. Older people wished us luck and blessed us for doing something about it – they too took information.
Of course we met with some opposition. A couple of people out of the whole busy centre is not much. They shouted at us or tutted but their banter made the action even more successful to get people riled up and to become informed about it was part of the goal.
On the whole the action was a success and we are eager to do it next month. I hope you can join us. I wonder how many people would stop if they saw 20 prisoners in their town centre?
Thanks
Amanda
Members of the Ealing Amnesty group ocassionally give talks in schools and colleges on the work of Amnesty International, the different Amnesty campaigns, and how young people can get involved in fighting for human rights.
We will be visiting Halliford School in Shepperton in October.
If you would like to arrange a talk in your school please contact Catherine to discuss your requirements. 07941 480466
Amnesty’s annual Greetings Card Campaign brings people across the world in touch with each other in a simple way – by sending a card with a friendly greeting or message of solidarity to someone who is in danger or unjustly imprisoned.
AI Ealing Group will hold two sessions to write greetings cards:
3 – 5pm Sunday 23rd November and Saturday 13th December 2008
Cafe Grove, 65 The Grove, W5
All welcome.
Pub Quiz in the North Star on Monday 19th May 2008 at 8pm.
This was a great success! we had over 60 people taking part and the vibe was buzzing. Michael, our compere was tops and a good time was had by all.
Thanks to the North Star and we are definitely going to do the quiz again!
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