Minutes July 19, 2006

Amnesty International Group 342 - Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 19, 2006
7:30-8:45pm at West Chester Friends Meeting

Attendance: Miriam B., Brendan, Barbara, Anita, Leslie, Tilo, April

Treasurer’s report: (given by April in Tom’s absence): balance is $1010.32

Actions

• Brendan
  
  • on behalf of Michael Lenz, convicted of murder and scheduled for execution in the state of Virginia on July 27, 2006
    
  • Circulated information the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission – hearings available on podcast
• April
  
  • Urgent Action on behalf of a prisoner of conscience held in Ethiopia. He is in extremely poor health and AI urges the Ethiopian government to allow him immediate access to necessary medical care.
    
  • Sent by Brooklyn AI group: Petition for immediate release of Dr. Than Nyein, being held in an undisclosed location
    
  • On behalf of Hajredin Halimi, who disappeared in Macedonia in 2001.
• Barbara
  
  • On behalf of Hamda al-Thani, member of Qatar royal family, reportedly being held against her will at her family home because of marriage unapproved by the family.
    
  • Summer postcard action. Those present wrote postcards to political prisoners, as well as to advocacy groups for victims of violence and sexual exploitation, located in China, Israel, Belarus, Guatemala, and Republic of Congo.

Announcements and events

April proposed an informal meeting on the 1st Wed. of each month, perhaps in the 2nd floor room of Sprazzo’s (corner of Gay and High Streets). This meeting would be in addition to our regular meeting on the 3rd Wednesday and would consist of letter writing only, no business to be conducted or minutes to be taken. The additional meeting would accommodate those who are unavailable on the 3rd Wednesday and might also give us visibility and attract some new members. First such meeting proposed for Wed., Aug. 2 at 7:30. April will confirm time and place.

AI’s regional conference will be held at the Spencer Hotel, Wilmington, DE, on October 20-22, 2006.

Minutes recorded by Barbara - Thank you!