Amnesty International Local Group # 642

14 April 2005

University of Wisconsin

Superior , Wisconsin

(unedited minutes)

Mayra: SVAW Public Readings on 25 April at UWS - Multi-Cultural Center in Old Main. 

Mayra will find out about tabling at Take Back the Night on 28 April.

AGM Report Back: 

• There was an abolish the death penalty focus and a well-attended action in the form of a protest at the State Capitol Building.  Speakers included Bianca Jaeger, leading opponents of the death penalty, a member of Murder Victim's Families for Reconciliation (whose husband was murdered), the sister of a man who was executed even though he suffered from sever mental disability, and a family member of a juvenile offender who had his sentence commuted after the recent Supreme Court decision finding that executing juvenile offenders in unconstitutional. This event received good media attention.  

• There was also a focus on the interdependence of human rights, with plenary speakers and panels discussing the importance of using multi-faceted strategies to promote and protect human rights.

• Resolutions:

1. A resolution in support of Amnesty continuing its work on economic, social and cultural rights as well as supporting the full spectrum approach to human rights advocacy passed with overwhelming support from the membership in attendance.

2. A resolution highlighting the importance of Amnesty's work on prisoners of conscience, and asking the ICM Delegation to push for such recognition at the ICM, passed with overwhelming support from the membership in attendance.

3. A resolution calling an Amnesty International to combat discrimination with respect to gay marriage passed overwhelmingly.

4. A resolution calling on Amnesty International to support voting rights for the residents of Washington, DC passed overwhelmingly.

 Bret: Bret visited the Midwest Regional Office of Amnesty International - USA on Wednesday. The Regional Office wants to put on a regional forum on economic social and cultural rights in Duluth this fall.  The Regional Office asked for the assistance of Local Group #642.  Our next meetings will include planning and preparation for this large event.  Bret will have more information for the May meeting.

The next meeting needs to be scheduled.  May 12 or later best for Bret and Mayra.