URGENT

Abolish the Death Penalty in Connecticut!

Connecticut hasn't executed anyone since 1960, but has scheduled the lethal injection of Michael Ross for May 11. On March 9, the Judiciary Committee approved a bill abolishing the death penalty in Connecticut. In two weeks the bill goes before the House of Representatives for debate. Please call your State Representative. Urge him/her to oppose the death penalty and to support HB 6012.

Senator Hillary Clinton

Washington, DC
Senate476 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510
Phone:
(202) 224-4451
General Fax:
(202) 228-0282
Scheduling Requests Fax:
(202) 228-0121
TTY/TDD:
(202) 224-6821

New York City Office
780 Third AvenueSuite 2601New York, NY 10017
Phone:
(212) 688-6262
Fax:
(212) 688-7444

Senator Charles Schumer

Washington, DC
313 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-6542
Fax: 202-228-3027TDD: 202-224-0420

New York City
757 Third AvenueSuite 17-02 New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-486-4430
Fax: 212-486-7693TDD: 212-486-7803

GET ON THE BUS

Get On The Bus
April 15, 2005
New York City, NY
10th Annual Day of Human Rights Action in New York City
Get On The Bus for Human Rights!

Featuring protests at various locations in New York City and a panel of human rights speakers and activists. Join us for actions focused on government and/or corporate human rights violations.

Get on the Bus is an annual trip to New York City for a full day of human rights action and education. We invite you and your group to join other activists in what we anticipate will be the biggest, most inspiring Get on the Bus ever. GOTB is a great way to get involved with direct human rights action by meeting other activists, taking our voices to the streets, and learning about specific Amnesty cases. Last year there were nearly 1,000 participants from 13 different states and 114 groups. Where will you be in April 15? Register now online and don't miss the bus!

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND: Buses and caravans are leaving from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, bringing together an estimated 1,000 students and activists on Friday, April 15th in New York. YOUR COST TO RIDE: We ask for $25-$50 per person if you are taking the Amnesty bus (just $5 if coming on your own). You are encouraged to pay as much as you or your group can afford. No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds.

VISIT THE WEBSITE for Info on how to:
register on-line
reserve seats on the buses from MA, NH, and CT
find out the bus pick up locations
get the schedule of actions and events
get promotional tools like t-shirts, photos, music and video
More information: gotb@amnesty133.org 617.267.7262

AGENDA FOR 02-07-05

SPEAKER: Shaunte
-food → munchkins, cookies, chips, donuts
NEEDED: -Drinks→ coke, water □
-Cups □
-Plates □
-Napkins □
-Tablecloth □
ASK: -Joe about the table □
-Mr. Barrett about leaving the table □
TO DO: -Attach AI banner to table □
-Pass around the contacts sheet □
-Pass around the positions sheet □
-Pass around the attendance sheet □
-Write announcement for 02/06/05
and 02/07/05 □
-make catchy flyers and posters □
-Announce the meeting on 02/10/05 □
-Speak about upcoming events □
-Speak about www.amnesty
international.blogspot.com □




Amnesty International
Defending Human Rights around the World

I. 2:50-3:00 Welcome and Introductions- Ayda and Maria
II. Check the contact sheet for accuracy
III. Sign attendance sheet
IV. Sign your name next to the position you are interested in on the positions sheet
V. Upcoming events
VI. 3:00-3:05 Chow down (food served)
VII. 3:05-3:25 Amnesty International-Shauntè Maghar Baboumian
VIII. Question and answer session

AI Policy Discussion Forum

JOIN US ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10th

6:30-8:30 PM

AI POLICY DISCUSSION FORUM
Emerging Issues and New Directions: A Discussion
AIUSA National Office
5 Penn Plaza, 14th Floor
[461 Eighth Ave (Between 33rd & 34th Streets)]
New York, NY 10001
212-807-8400

**RSVP by Monday February 7th. by clicking the "comments" link at the bottom **
[Security procedures require we provide a guest list of all visitors.Therefore, you MUST RSVP if you are interested in attending this meeting.]

This meeting will provide an overview and the opportunity for discussion of three critical policy issues that will be on the agenda of the 2005I nternational Council Meeting (ICM). We will discuss AI proposals for workin the areas of reproductive rights, potential positions on the use of force and military intervention, and implementation of Amnesty's commitment to working on the "full spectrum" of human rights issues.

Feedback gathered from this meeting will be submitted to the Committee onMission, Research and Action (COMRA), a volunteer committee charged withfostering education and dialogue about policy issues being considered bythe movement. COMRA informs AIUSA's Board of Directors, which in turnprovides guidance on these issues to the Section's delegates to the ICM.The role of the Section's ICM delegation is to represent AIUSA members inthe policy-making discussion at the ICM. For more information on this process see attached links.Please come ready to learn, discuss, and participate in the building of our human rights movement.If you are unable to attend the meeting you can still submit you comments in writing directly to COMRA at comra@aiusa.org

RECOMMENDED READING
Please read the following papers before you attend.

If you are not yet signed up for the Member's Section, you can do so at the following page:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/join/

Background information on the International Council Meeting: http://www.amnestyusa.org/members/icm/2003/

2004-2005 International Policy Consultations Overview: http://www.amnestyusa.org/members/international_policy/overview_04.pdfq

Policy discussion papers issued thus far are posted in the MembersSection of the website:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/members/international_policy/index.html

If you have problems accessing the site or if you would like to receive word documents of the files please let me know.Please contact me if you have any problems accessing the Members Section,if you would prefer hard copies of the policy papers, or if you have anyother questions. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Cluster Meeting

The next Cluster Meeting is at:
Columbia University
Earl Hall/Schiff Room
Friday, February 25th
6:00pm
Please RSVP as soon as you can if you are able to attend.

P.S. A cluster meeting is generally a meeting where different student groups in the New York area get together to discuss current issues. There will be food and beverages provided.