Thank you to everyone involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are much appreciated. These can be read as a PDF if desired.

Join Amnesty International, get involved with our local AI Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

We warmly invite newcomers and familiar faces alike to attend the next meeting of the Amnesty International Glasgow West Group. This email includes:

Details of our forthcoming March 2025 meeting;
Links to current AIUK activities;
The minutes from our local Group's February 2025 meeting; and
A note of our local Group's monthly meeting dates for the year ahead.

March 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 13th March, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 13th March 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

Discussion on a planned gathering for all AI Groups based in Scotland to take place in Perth on 7th June 2025;
2025 is the 50th anniversary of Glasgow West AI Group and we will be discussing potential activities to plan around this significant occasion;
Updates from our local group co-ordinators on their activities; and
Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Amnesty International – Paris Marathon Fundraiser

Our local Glasgow West AI Group member, Paolo, is running the Paris Marathon to raise funds for Amnesty International.

The event takes place on 13th April 2025 and Paolo will be running the 26miles 385 yards (42.2km), with every penny raised going directly to AIUK.

Paolo shared his motivation for undertaking this challenge:

“As a dedicated supporter of Amnesty International for many years, I am thrilled to announce my participation in the Paris Marathon 2025 to raise funds for Amnesty. I have followed and participated in Amnesty campaigns for over 30 years, both in Italy and the UK. I deeply admire and am moved by Amnesty's tireless work for everyone's rights - an inspiring example to follow. It's an exhausting endeavour that demands immense tenacity, mental strength, clarity of purpose, and even rigorous training, much like running a marathon. I'm proud to wear Amnesty's colours at the Paris Marathon. I started running just a few years ago, and a marathon is still a significant challenge for me. Being able to contribute to Amnesty's cause is a powerful motivation.”

Please visit Paulo's ‘Just Giving' page if you would like to support his efforts:

Paolo's JustGiving Page

Human Rights in Eritrea– Invitation

to a Presentation / Discussion

Glasgow Daytime Amnesty International Group member, Alex, will be giving a presentation and leading a discussion on Human Rights in Eritrea. Alex has long been involved in campaigning on this issue and he will provide an insight into the human rights challenges and the work of Amnesty International within the country.

The event takes place at 1pm on Thursday 20th March 2025. It will be held at ‘The Wee Retreat', 2 Myrtle Park, Glasgow, G42 8UQ. All are welcome to attend.

AIGW Glasgow Comedy Event raises £2,350

for Amnesty International

Our Glasgow West AI Group held our latest annual Comedy Fundraiser for Amnesty at The Stand comedy club, Glasgow in February.

This year, we sold 150 tickets, which raised £1,890 for AIUK Charitable Trust.

In addition to the ticket sales, the event also raised an additional £466 via a raffle and collection tins. This money will be used to support the campaigning work and related expenses of our local Glasgow West AI Group. So, overall, a grand total of just over £2,350 was raised for Amnesty at the event.

As usual, The Stand Comedy club was fantastic, arranging the performers, giving their premises and staff time free of charge.

A special mention goes to the comedians, each of whom donated their time completely free of charge to Amnesty.

The fantastic line-up of four comedians comprised Marc Jennings, who acted as compere for the event, Amanda Dwyer, Kai Humphries and headliner Christopher MacArthur-Boyd. All of the acts were very well received by the enthusiastic audience, as was our Group member Mal, who provided a brief update about the work of Amnesty and gave thanks on the night to all who had made the event such a success.

Finally, a ‘thank you' is also due to everyone who bought a ticket for the event and for those who donated raffle prizes.

This fundraiser is a firm fixture on the Glasgow Amnesty calendar and a date for next year's Fundraiser has already been set with The Stand for Thursday 19th February 2026!

AIUK Local Updates

The latest updates for Local AI Groups produced by AIUK can be found the AIUK website.

Below is a sample of some of the items included in this latest update.

Will Writing Service

Write your Will for FREE during Amnesty International UK's Make a Will Month!

This March, you and your loved ones can write or update your Will for free with our annual Make a Will Month. We've made it even simpler for you, by partnering with the National Free Wills Network, Co-op Legal Services, and Farewill. Our partners provide you with the option to write your Will in the most convenient way to you, whether that's face-to-face, online or over the phone.

There's no obligation to include a gift to Amnesty International UK when you write your Will, but any gift you do include will make sure humanity can keep winning. Go to F ree will Service to get started.

Sign up here

Spring Raffle

Play the Amnesty Spring raffle today!

More info:

The Amnesty Spring Raffle is now open! Don't delay – simply enter online today for your chance to *win £5,000 or one of 36 other amazing cash prizes. Just imagine seeing your name on a cheque for £5,000! Wouldn't that feel amazing?

Every time you play the Amnesty International UK Raffle, you're taking on injustices and helping to make sure humanity wins. That's a great feeling!

By playing the Amnesty Spring Raffle, that winning feeling – and the cash – could be yours. Every entry counts in the fight for human rights.

Enter Now

For further details of the above and other items featured in most recent AIUK Local Groups' Update, see AIGW Local Updates.

Upcoming Dates / events

For updates on planned AIUK training and events for AI activists, Click on this link.

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

For updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns Click on this link.

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 13th February 2025 Updates

Welcome and apologies

Attending: Claire (Chair), Daisy, David, Luca, Merle, Paolo, Neil, Cait and Andrew.

Apologies: Mal, Kirstie, Carl, Mhairi and Clara.
Agreement of previous meeting minutes here.
Team Updates (list of roles here):
1. Treasurer
  
  It was noted that a request from the Glasgow AI Daytime group for a donation to assist with Write for Rights postage costs was subsequently withdrawn, as it was no longer required due to the Group having recently received a substantial donation.
  
  Report submitted by Kirstie in advance of meeting: 4 transactions in Jan: annual affiliation to AI, reimbursement for write for rights postage, plug/ charging cable for sum up card machine, and a cheque donation. Current balance is £418.79
  
  Write for Rights postage costs: Hillhead event £82.77, uni event £7, Sunday Assembly £30 (Kirstie donation covered Sunday Assembly) group event ~£35 (Claire donation £21.40; Merle ~£7 donation, Luca ~£7 donation)
  
  Fundraising: Paolo is running the Paris Marathon for Amnesty on Sunday 13th April - Pls share: https://www.justgiving.com/page/paolo-grifa-humanrights *
2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)
  
  We spent £20 on an advert across Facebook and Instagram to promote the comedy night:
  
  5,182 people were reached, with 7,339 impressions (i.e. some people saw the advert more than once); 154 clicks on link to buy tickets (£0.13 per click); 31 tickets bought during 4 day period that the advert was running.
  
  We can't tell how many of the tickets sold were people who saw the advert, but in the previous month we sold 43 tickets. Equally, some people who saw the advert may yet buy tickets before the show. Those 31 tickets will contribute over £300 to Amnesty, suggesting it was likely a good return on investment, but also demonstrates paid social media advertising is not a ‘silver bullet' to raising awareness of our group activities.
  
  Please continue to like / share / comment on all our social media activities!
  
  Discussion re. Leaving Twitter/ X - should our Group's Twitter / X account be closed? Option to move to BlueSky?
  
  Suggestion: stay on Twitter/X while still got a lot of people we can influence
  
  Cait/Mal to check engagement on Twitter/ X. Look into moving
  
  More people “similar to us” on BlueSky (as in people in the Amnesty bubble who are likely to engage with us)
  
  Suggestion: open blue-sky
  
  Vote:
  1. close Twitter/X later, for now mirror → almost unanimous vote for this option!
  2. close now and open bluesky [no - seen as too big a risk as we may lose current Twitter / X followers]
3. Local Political Outreach (Neil)
  
  Neil Cowan suggestion from a previous meeting to Ask if Kaukab Stewart - SNP Minister for Equalities - would like to come and meet our group to talk about the shelved Scottish Human Rights Bill (Amnesty report here) / Scotland's use of the UK government's "Prevent" policy (Amnesty work on it here). Christine from our group has been in contact with Kaukab's Admin Assistant in the past (her constituency is Glasgow Kelvin) and gave her email address: Bryony.Lovett@parliament.scot.
  
  Claire had asked group member Neil H if able to follow up on this. Neil H couldn't do so, but Paolo offered to contact Kaukab Stewart.
  
  Our focus - upcoming elections for Scottish Parliament May 2026; what can we do to help lobby candidates / parties to raise Scottish Human Rights Bill as a priority?
  
  David suggestion: ask her about getting Human Rights into school
  - Scottish Youth Parliament
  - Claire to share AI speaker in schools information
4. Regional/Country focus
  1. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal)
  2. Korea (Clara)
5. Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal to inform Death Penalty Network / follow up work on California
6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk (Cait beginning to look into this case - India BK16 two released on bail)
Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

Seenaryo (Lebanon) film screening: Mhairi No update - held over from previous months regarding the previously planned (February) screening & panel discussion at Glasgow University inc. lecturer from Dept of Middle East studies & AIUK Country Coordinator (Clara re. Lebanon)
2025 AI Glasgow West AGM 1 Team Roles.docx

Current group:
1. Chair: Claire (since Sep 2022) - agreed to continue but hoping for a co-Chair this year!
2. Secretary: Andrew (since Sep 2022) - agreed to continue but hoping for a co-Secretary this year!
3. Treasurer: Kirsty (since ~Sep 2022) - agreed to continue but hoping for a co-Treasurer this year!
4. UAs: Merle (since forever) - agreed to continue and happy to support someone else with this role
5. Social Media: Mal / Cait (since forever / ad hoc) - Mal happy to continue; Cait recommitting!
Suggestion: Paolo suggestion about promoting greater diversity / inclusion in the Group's membership and activities. For example, by getting students more involved in our group, via LGBTQ+ groups / shared campaigns. Joint activities with Glasgow University Amnesty Group may be a useful starting point for this - (Emma is the secretary - mail@guamnesty.org.uk)

NB to all to note that the Group is always open to suggestions for guest speakers
Planning for Comedy Night fundraiser at The Stand Comedy Club - Thursday 20th February 2025 - all to share AIGW - Tasks for Comedy Fundraiser - Feb 2025: https://www.thestand.co.uk/performance/18996/benefit-in-aid-of-amnesty-international/20250220/glasgow

Tickets: £13 / £11 - NB all entrance ticket sales proceeds will go to Amnesty UK charitable arm.

Doors Open – 7pm ; Starts – 8pm approx. ; Finishes – 10pm approx. ; [planning doc here]

90 tickets sold as of 13.02.25

Mal has lots of things he will bring. Still need: raffle tickets (Andrew will bring); Up to date group contact details/meeting info leaflets/business cards required – volunteer?

Pre Stand Fundraiser event actions:
- Christine - Glasgow Times - will seek to liaise with local press on getting publicity for the event.
- Mal to share info on social media
- Andrew will check with The Stand if we need to do anything else – at doors, etc
- Cait - flyer → people print & put up around town
6.45pm arrive - Luca, Andrew, Merle

AI publicity materials - Mal will bring the AI Banner, Posters, Lanyards, Badges, etc

Raffle!
- Prizes /(e.g. Bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, etc; more basic gifts can be grouped into gift bags)/*:* All to bring raffle prizes
- Posters: Mal print this poster (stating that AI Glasgow West will be the beneficiary of the raffle); Andrew will email a copy of this to The Stand.
- Raffle tickets: Andrew to bring from box in church hall
- Raffle Ticket Sellers: Luca, Carol, others tbc NB prices - £2 for 1 strip; £5 for 3 strips. (N.B. Do not detach individual tickets from strips!)
- money collected: sellers to give funds raised from raffle to Kirstie (Treasurer).
Collection Tins: Mal/Andrew will bring two AI Collection Tins for cash donations (follow around behind raffle sellers while people have their wallets open!)

Photographs / Social Media:
- Photo consent: Paolo - Stand manager / Host for the evening announces that photos are being taken (make sure he does/we do)
- Paolo will take photographs at the event for use in publicity, inc. providing social media updates on the night
AI Input on the night - Lead: Mal Tasks:
- liaising with the host and asking him to lead the raffle
- providing a brief overview of the work of AI during the interval
- thanking The Stand, the performers and others giving freely of their time
- liaising with the host on buying the performers a drink (/Kirstie /(Treasurer) to reimburse cost from raffle proceeds).
Follow-up:
- Andrew will write a short article for the AIUK Local Groups Update on the Fundraiser and include photos from Paolo.
- Funds Raised - Once the final total raised for AIUK Charity is notified to Andrew by The Stand, he will contact Richard at AIUK and arrange for him to send an invoice to The Stand for the net amount raised on behalf of AIUK Charitable Trust.
Urgent Appeals - Merle
- https://tinyurl.com/afghanistan25
- https://tinyurl.com/iran25
AOB
- Glasgow Film Festival - starting ~21st Feb
- Paisley Film Festival - on now (Jan-March)
From the Group Signal chat:
- Outside In (https://www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/outsidein) is a migrant-led interactive photography exhibition, organised by Migrant Voice, which tells stories of how migrants bring the world to Scotland and have made it their home. Outside In features people from 21 countries, from across the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, exploring how migrants have influenced different areas of life, from fashion to tea brewing and martial arts. Visitors can not only learn but also contribute their insights about migrant communities and Scottish links to their countries. Visit the exhibition:
- Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm until 21st of February.
- Maryhill Burgh Halls, 10-24 Gairbraid Avenue, Glasgow, G20 8YE
- Free entry
- (Maryhill Burgh Halls has wheelchair access, accessible toilets and large print materials.)
AIUK Local Group Updates – January link here Some of the items included in the Update are:-
- Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad
- Local Groups' Planning Pack here (This resource is designed to help groups plan their year, by providing information, resources and connection across the movement that will help you campaign effectively for human rights, grow your impact and audience, and raise funds to support your group's activity)
- An update on AIUK's 2024 Write for Rights Campaign /(featuring both Glasgow West and Glasgow Daytime Groups' input amongst many other Groups across the UK) /
- Toolkit and funding to encourage regional gatherings of Amnesty activists. In addition, it is noted that there will be an AI office-led Gathering in Scotland during Q2 of 2025 (date tbc).
- Refugee Week will be celebrated from June 16–22, 2025 with the theme “Community as a Superpower”, focusing on the power of community, collaboration, and shared humanity in the face of displacement. If you are interested to organise a Refugee Week community event in your local area, please feel free to apply for a grant by clicking on the below button, the deadline to apply is 17 February.
- Activism in Action for International Women's Day Join us on Saturday 8 March for International Women's Day, to mark the occasion with a series of feminist activism focused sessions. Sat, 8th Mar 2025 10:00 - 18:00, Location: Human Rights Action Centre, London
- Country co-ordinator vacancies - The update lists a range of country co-ordinator volunteer positions that are open for application.
- AIUK is also recruiting for a number of regional co-ordinator vacancies, including a post for Scotland. Nomination deadline is April.
- New online courses - Gender Justice and Human Rights (online); Activism Skills Training: Digital Campaign Strategy (25th Feb or 23rd Sept).
Other upcoming dates / events:
- 18 Feb 6pm - 7:30pm - Campaign Connect: A briefing on Israel's Genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - Tickets here
- 20 Feb 6:30pm - 7:40pm - Predictive Policing Report launch. The event will be hybrid, offering the option of joining in person at the HRAC - Tickets here
- 26 Feb 10:30 - 1pm - Refugee Week 2025 Conference - Tickets here
- 1-2 March - Amnesty UK Student Festival - Tickets here
  
  Please note that this is a students only festival but you can spread the word!
- 8 March - International Women's Day
- 8 March 10am - 6pm - Activism In Action for International Women's Day by the Amnesty Feminist Network, HRAC London - Tickets here
- 5th/6th July - AIUK AGM, Birmingham - : 7th March is the deadline for self-nomination to be on AIUK board and also for submitting any AGM resolutions
Date of Next AI Glasgow West Group Meeting – Thurs 13th March 7.30pm – 9pm

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every second Thursday of each month at 7.30pm - 9pm.

The meetings take place at Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

Thursday 9th January 2025
Thursday 13th February 2025
Thursday 13th March 2025
Thursday 10th April 2025
Thursday 8th May 2025
Thursday 12th June 2025
Thursday 10th July 2025
Thursday 14th August 2025
Thursday 11th September 2025
Thursday 9th October 2025
Thursday 13th November 2025
Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS