Join us for the 2011 Writeathon!
“I am alive today, after 34 arrests, because members of Amnesty International spoke out for me.”
—Jenni Williams
Human rights defender, Zimbabwe
Jenni Williams is the founder of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), a civic movement in Zimbabwe to lobby and advocate on issues affecting women and their families.
How to participate
Our local groups organize writeathon events every year in the area. You are more than welcome to come to one of the writeathon events listed below, in either Long Beach (Saturday 10 December) or Irvine (Sunday 11 December). You can also sign up to write letters from home, or join another public writeathon in the area. To sign up as an individual, or find a public writeathon event close to your location, visit the Amnesty International USA writeathon site.
Why this is important
In the words of Aung San Suu Kyi, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience:
My strength comes from people like you… People who do a little for Amnesty International, they do much more than they think they are doing… it all adds up to a lot, and that is what has kept us going.
Your words have power
Amnesty International supporters have been writing letters for more than 50 years. Experience has proven that such letters can and do make a difference. The impact of each letter is multiplied when it is joined by thousands of other letters from all over the world. The pressure created by this flood of concern is undeniable. Many people have told Amnesty International that they are alive today because of these letters.
Highlighted cases
Azerbaijan: Jabbar Savalan, Youth activist detained after using Facebook
Bahrain: Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi Abu Dheeb, Teachers detained for supporting pro-reform efforts
Cameroon: Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, Imprisoned on charges of “homosexuality”
China: Liu Xiaobo, Nobel Peace Prize laureate imprisoned
Indonesia: Filep Karma, Imprisoned for raising a flag
Iran: Majid Tavakkoli and Behareh Hedayat, Youth leaders imprisoned for speaking out
Mexico: Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú, Indigenous women raped by soldiers
Nigeria: Residents of Port Harcourt Settlements, Forced evictions of communities
North Korea: Shin Sook-ja and others at Yodok Political Prison Camp, Families imprisoned for life
Sri Lanka: Ragihar Manoharan, Student killed by security forces
USA: Christi Cheramie, Sentenced as a juvenile to life imprisonment without parole
USA: Reggie Clemons, Justice derailed
USA (Guantánamo): Shaker Aamer, Indefinite detention
Yemen: Fatima Hussein Badi, Facing the death penalty following an unfair trial
Zimbabwe: Jenni Willians and Women of Zimbabwe Arise, Human rights activists at risk
Long Beach, Saturday 10 December 2011
When
Saturday 10 December 2011
13:00 – 18:00 (1 P.M. to 6 P.M.)
Where
Zephyr Vegetarian Café
340 East 4th Street, Long Beach, California 90802-2403 (562) 435-7113
Who
Sponsored by Amnesty International Group 175 (Long Beach). (See flyer)
Please confirm your attendance at the official event listing or to ai_longbeach@aiusaoc.org.
What
Writeathon to celebrate Human Rights Day and make a difference! We will have Writeathon actions as well as holiday cards. Delicious food available for purchase.
How much
Free
Map to location
Irvine, Sunday 11 December 2011
When
Sunday 11 December 2011
10:00 – 13:00 (10:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
Where
Irvine United Congregational Church
4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92604
Who
Sponsored by Amnesty International Group 178 (Irvine) and the Irvine United Congregational Church. (See flyer)
Please confirm your attendance at the official event listing or to ai_irvine@aiusaoc.org.
What
Writeathon! Write a letter, get a cookie! Cookies and eggnog provided.
How much
Free