Thanks to FL and MDS for these minutes. You can read them as a PDF here.
Welcome and Introductions
Attending: AH, CA, CL, KM, MDS
Apologies: MR, FL, JG
The group welcomed new member Anna.
The group to move the meetings to the third Thursday of the month for October and November.
Secretary's Report
Local Group Update
Please follow the link to read the latest Local Groups Update: [Local Groups Update]
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There will be a national Amnesty conference held in London on 13th November.
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The monthly mailing includes an inspiring message of thanks sent by Vernon Gonsalves to a local Amnesty group in the UK. Vernon is part BK16 prisoners held in India.
Week of Action (10-17th October)
Many groups including Amnesty UK, Liberty, the British Institute of Human Rights, Freedom from Torture, the End Violence Against Women coalition (EVAW), Stonewall and Equally Ours alongside Quakers, Humanists and others are coming together to tell MPs to Stop the Rights Raid.
What we need to do:
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Reach out to our local MPs and ask them to meet in October. A draft email you can use to contact your MP was included in the last group email. There are also more detailed materials now available. Please email Freya for a copy ([freya_lyte\@hotmail.co.uk]). Let Freya know who you have emailed.
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Meet with our MPs (either online or in person) to discuss the Rights Raid with them. Amnesty have provided a briefing to help us with this. Again, see previous email or Freya. You can also request a written response from your MP instead.
Amnesty is running a series of online workshop to support activists with the Week of Action.
Influencing your MP and engaging local media session with top tips and support
Monday 27 September, 6 - 7.30pm Register here:
Short session with Naomi McAuliffe (Amnesty Scotland) to understand the devolved context
Thursday 30 September 7-7.30pm. No registration. Join on Zoom here:
[Naomi McAuliffe short Zoom session]
Ask the experts: a panel to get you up to speed on the Bills
Monday 4 October, 6 - 7.30pm Register here - [hosted via GoToWebinar]
COP26
Online Events
Why Climate Change is a Human Rights issue: Amnesty and COP26
Wed, 22 September, 18:30 -- 20:00
An intro to why climate change is a human rights issue and what Amnesty International will be doing when COP26 comes to Glasgow in November.
Recording available here: https://youtu.be/2sXG-q1Efp8
Protecting human rights of environmental campaigners
We also understand that during COP, Amnesty International UK will be organising an online event focused on protecting the human rights of environmental campaigners around the world.
In Person Events
Amnesty Bloc in Global Day for Climate Justice March, Glasgow
Saturday 6th November
We aim to provide a friendly and safe environment for those joining the protest, while highlighting impact of climate change on human rights.
Vigil for environmental campaigners
We are also planning a vigil on Sunday 7th November in solidarity with persecuted environmental campaigners around the world.
Afghanistan Action
Please sign this petition calling on the Prime Minister to act urgently to help Afghan civilians at risk
[https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/urge_PM_help_Afghanistan_crisis]
Other Upcoming Events
Take One Action! Film Festival
Runs from the 22nd - 26th September with both online and in-cinema screenings. Check out the full programme here:
[https://www.takeoneaction.org.uk/]
Urgent Actions
Keep checking the Urgent Actions sites for actions you can take from your home -
[https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions]
AOB
John Gerrard has decided to move over the Glasgow Daytime Amnesty Group. John is the longest running member of Glasgow West Amnesty and has made a fantastic contribution over many years. We want to thank him for all his activism and wish him luck in all his continued human rights campaigning.
Next meeting
Thursday 21st October