Anyone interested in lobbying against U.S.-sponsored torture and for the restoration of the civil liberties and protections abandoned by the Military Commissions Act of 2006 is invited to join in a discussion of lobbying strategies.

Jay O'Hara of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will be discussing lobbying against torture and other post-9/11 civil liberties violations.

Monday, March 5th at 7:00pm
Goshen Monthly Meeting
814 North Chester Road (southeast corner of Paoli Pike and Rt. 352)
West Chester, PA

Amnesty International members and supporters are invited to join in a bus caravan to New York City for the Save Darfur demonstration on September 17. Time is short - please register by September 12 if you wish to take one of the buses.

Two buses are available from our area:

FROM PHILADELPHIA: This bus is contracted by the Darfur Alert Coalition and will have a lot of Darfuri expatriates aboard. Pickup-dropoff is at Max Myers Playground, at Bustleton and Hellerman, a block above Roosevelt Boulevard. Departure is 10 a.m. sharp, return at about 8 p.m. This is the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood where a lot of Darfuris live. This trip will give Americans a nice chance to sit and talk to Darfuris. Cost is $25. Send checks, payable to Darfur Alert Coalition, to: Jim Remsen, 13 Penarth Rd., Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.

FROM MAIN LINE: Beth Am Israel synagogue is partnering with Main Line Reform Temple to organize a bus that is serving any and all interested people, from synagogues, churches, schools, solo residents, etc. Departure is 10 a.m. from the Main Line Reform Temple parking lot in Wynnewood, with return scheduled for 8 p.m. To reserve a seat, call the synagogue office at 610-649-7800, and send a $25 check, payable to Main Line Reform Temple, to: Main Line Reform Temple, 410 Montgomery Ave., Wynnewood Pa. 19096.

Many thanks to Jim Remsen for the invitation and the information!

This is not an Amnesty International event, but may be of interest to our members.

18 April 2006 - 8:00 am – 9:30 am
White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Come hear from two activists from opposite sides of the world how U.S. farm policy is undermining development around the globe and how local groups are advocating for change.

Reservations are required: Please RSVP by Monday 215-386-9224.

This presentation will be led by Senegalese Agronomist Dr. Thiendou Niang, who is currently the director of the Agricultural Policy Expertise Network in Dakar, Senegal. Since 2002, Dr. Niang has coordinated studies on agricultural policies and the effects of global subsidies, as well as the linkages between poverty reduction strategies and agricultural policies. Also speaking will be local expert John Weidman, Deputy Executive Director of The Food Trust. Together they will explore the implications of US agricultural policy on both developing countries and rural America, as well as the international and local efforts to bring about policy change. The program will take place at the White Dog Café, a café that combines local cuisine and social activism. Price per person is $12 (students and seniors $10) and includes a full breakfast with locally and humanely raised ingredients and fair exchange coffee. Tax and gratuity are included.

While this is not an Amnesty International event, it may be of interest to our members. A Women Say No to War Vigil is being organized at the Chester County Courthouse on Wednesday, March 8 from 9 am to 6 pm. Please see the attached flyer for more details.