Thank you to AMG for this info and updates. If you would prefer to read this content as a PDF, you can do so here.

We warmly invite you to attend the next meeting of the AI Glasgow West Group. Please come and join in our lively and friendly discussions and help us make a positive difference to supporting Human Rights around the world.

This update includes:

• Details of our forthcoming April 2023 meeting

• Excerpts from and a link to AIUK's most recent update for local AI group

• Minutes of our local group meeting held last month; and

• A note of all our local Group's meeting dates for 2023.

April 2023 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 13th April, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 13 April 2023 at 7.30pm - 9pm at Woodlands International Church.
More details on Facebook - https://fb.me/e/24A3jSi3e

We would love to see you there on Thursday!

Our activities for the April meeting include:

• Planning next steps following our recent successful Iftar event, which highlighted various human rights issues affecting Muslim Groups;

• Discussing Israeli Apartheid and considering potential events to help raise awareness; and

• Undertaking letter writing in response to recent Urgent Actions alerts from AI.

Recent AI Glasgow West Comedy Fundraiser lauded by AIUK

The AI Glasgow West Group's comedy fundraising event, has recently been praised by Amnesty International UK's Fundraising Team as ‘...one of the most successful fundraisers in a long time...”.

We provided details in last month's email of this event, which raised £3,500 for AI.

Extract Of Local Groups' Updates From AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

This month's update from AIUK includes the following:

Stop the Cruel Bill

The UK government's latest immigration bill is a heartless and cruel attack on people needing safety.The government is using lies and hate-filled language that will stoke flames of division, hatred and could end with more violence. We cannot allow this to happen.

Over 12,000 Amnesty supporters wrote to their MPs ahead of the second reading.

Local groups and individuals are encouraged to continue the pressure and further raise awareness.

Protect the Protest updates - Public Order Bill

The draconian Public Order Bill is currently in its final stage of its passage through parliament. This law, when passed will give the police unprecedented powers to restrict the right to protest in the UK. This will include an expansion of police powers to be able to ban people from attending protests, stop and search people in the context of protest and make it easier for police to restrict protest. This is particularly concerning in light of Baroness Casey's damning report that found deep-rooted institutional racism, homophobia and misogyny in the Met.

This new legislation, last year's ‘Police Act' and other attacks on human rights in the UK has led to the UK being downgraded in a global civic freedoms index to ‘obstructed'. You can read more here.

Israeli Occupied Palestinian Territory

It was in the midst of Israeli Apartheid Week that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to London. An Amnesty activist greeted him by wearing a mask of his face and holding a sign saying ‘I heart apartheid.' We also unfurled a banner calling for an end to Israeli apartheid. Earlier in the week, we worked with Palestinian activists in London to put stickers on hire bikes, using the bike as a symbol of free movement to make the point that Palestinians continue to live under punitive movement restrictions.

Many of you have held screenings of Farha and Tantura to learn about the Nakba. There is still plenty of time to do this and hold a brainstorming session for actions you can take to mark Nakba day on 15 May.

Further information from AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

March 2023 Updates

Glasgow West Local Group

Meeting held on 9th March 2023

Present : Claire (Chair), Kirstie, Christine, Jim, Mal, Amjad, Andrew and Sabrine.

Apologies tendered: Neil, Merle, Amanda, Silvia, Sharon, Hala and Chakar (Chakar is a former member of AI Perth, who will be joining our Group).

Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly Sabrine, who was attending her first meeting of the group.

Minutes of meeting held on 9 February 2023

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Financial Update

Kirstie indicated that she was now officially recognised as the Group's Treasurer, having now had a bank statement posted to her!

Kirstie has received notification from AIUK Charitable Trust that they have receipt of £2823 raised at The Stand Comedy fundraiser.

On the night, a total of c.£750 was also raised for our local Group's campaigns and activities (£540 raised in the raffle, £119 in tin collections and £89 via PayPal donations).

The Group recorded its thanks to all who had contributed via buying event tickets, raffle tickets, tin collections, PayPal donations and donating raffle prizes.

Andrew confirmed he had written to The Stand to thank their staff and the performers.

Jim noted that the date of 12 February 2024 had been agreed with The Stand for a similar event.

With the imminent rise of postal charges, Kirstie undertook to investigate whether it would be possible to buy stamps in advance for overseas letters. (post-meeting update: Kirstie subsequently confirmed that it is only possible to buy stamps for UK destinations in advance).

Action from Previous meetings

Andrew noted that there had still been no response from Naomi McAuliffe regarding the invitations for her to meet with the Glasgow AI groups. However, separately and unrelated, Thea Iannou, a local activism colleague from AIUK, has been in touch with the AI Groups in Scotland and invited them to an online meeting to discuss common issues. This will take place on 21 March and Andrew will dial into that.

Debrief from the Stand night: a great night; raffle went well and we don't need to worry about having great prizes - people don't care!; take at least 10 raffle ticket books in future!

International Women's Day

Claire highlighted an event taking place in Govanhill Park on Saturday 11 March at 12 noon. This is part of a wider series of events in Govanhill celebrating International Women's Day. Details in undernoted link:

https://www.govanhillbaths.com/iwd2023/

Christine updated on correspondence she had received from the AI Feminist Network. This included an Action Pack, which highlighted Urgent Action cases relating to Women's Rights, covering Iran, Andorra and Afghanistan.

The Action Pack includes various online actions that members may wish to add their voice to:-

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/ACTIONS/AFGHANISTANWOMEN

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/activist-defending-abortion-rights-faces-trial

@Silvia / Hala → SM if possible

Nomination to AIUK Board

Our local Group member colleague, Mal had previously indicated that he wished to stand for election to the Board of AIUK and our Group confirmed that it would nominate him.

AIUK Local Groups' Update

The link to the local groups' update had been circulated with the meeting notice.

Stand up to Racism March, Glasgow on Saturday 18 March

Claire had previously circulated information about the above event, which was taking place in Glasgow, Cardiff and London. After discussion, it was agreed that individuals from our group would consider attending on a personal basis.

IFTAR event

Claire provided an update on the Iftar event, which will take place on Sunday 26 March @ 4.30pm – at The Ark, 70 Coplaw Street, Glasgow. The event is being organised with input from our Group and MEND. It will involve speakers covering rights issues relating to Uyghurs including Eritrea, Palestine and Kashmir. It will involve a ‘write for rights' session relating to individuals from the various topic areas, prior to the Iftar meal.

Claire indicated that an open Eventbrite invitation to the Iftar event would be circulated. It would be helpful to get press and social media publicity relating to this – Silvia / Hala?

Event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/human-rights-iftar-glasgow-tickets-575683122717

Claire indicated that much planning had yet to take place and volunteers to assist would be appreciated.

Amjar, Kirstie, Sabrine and Claire indicated they would be available to attend the event. Christine may be able to attend later on in the day.

A follow-up session to the Iftar event will also take place on 14 May at 2.30pm.

May Day event

Mal indicated that there was an opportunity for AI to have a stall at the May Day rally at Glasgow Green. It was agreed in principle that we should do this. Other local AI Groups may wish to join with this.

Planning for this event will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting.

Urgent Actions

Christine circulated Urgent Actions (which Merle had passed to her) and colleagues undertook letter writing on those cases.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 13th April 2023, 7.30pm - 9pm @ Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW.

2023 Meeting Dates

New Members welcome!

The Group meets every 2 Thursday 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 12 January 2023

• Thursday 9 February 2023

• Thursday 9th March 2023

• Thursday 13th April 2023

• Thursday 11th May 2023

• Thursday 8th June 2023

• Thursday 13th July 2023

• Thursday 10th August 2023

• Thursday 14th September 2023

• Thursday 12th October 2023

• Thursday 9th November 2023

• Thursday 14th December 2023

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS