A Silent Demonstration against the UK's Public Order Act 2023
(often called the anti-protest act):
On Saturday October 28th, Amnesty York members held a silent demonstration in Kings Square in York against the Public Order Act and its chilling effect on protest - hence our white, glittery accessories! Protests must be seen and heard to be effective; however this act tries to put a lid on protests being seen and heard leading to the criminalisation of what formerly would be considered acceptable and normal forms of protest. As ever, we were up against the Kings Square fire-eater; nevertheless after the show, members of the public engaged with us in conversation and reading our pro-protest signs.
Spotlight - Myanmar
See these links...
Sky News Special Programme: Inside Myanmar's hidden war
Al Jazeera - Myanmar: Campaign of Terror | Bird’s Eye View
...about Noon
The Myanmar military’s decision to seize power on 1 February 2021 triggered a wave of resistance across the country. By the end of June, almost 5000 anti-coup demonstration events were reported in Myanmar. The military has responded with a campaign of violence and mass arrests. Despite the crackdown, anti-coup activists have continued to demonstrate, and some have armed themselves in self-defence. Noon, is a Ta’ang woman who has played an active role in nonviolent efforts using dialogue, discussion, social movement and advocacy to the leaders and the international community to resist the military junta's violence. She recently addressed a York Amnesty International meeting. These links provide more information.
GOOD NEWS about one of our friends!
Mohamed el Baker, a lawyer, was released from prison in Egypt on 20th July after a presidential pardon. He was arrested in September 2019 while attending prosecutors’ questioning of another prominent activist, Alaa Abdel-Fattah. He was accused of disseminating false news, misuse of social media and joining a terrorist group and was sentenced to four years in prison in 2021.
Some of us in Amnesty York had the pleasure of knowing him and his wife Neama, when he was a protected fellow at York University’s Centre for Applied Human Rights.
Amnesty has campaigned for Mohamed’s release through Urgent Actions, letters to the Egyptian authorities and the annual Write for Rights campaign based around each December 10th, Human Rights Day.
We continue to work for the release of Alaa Abdel-Fattah one of the most prominent activists in Egypt, who was sentenced to five years in prison on the same charges.
Amnesty York for Refugee Week 19th - 25th June 2023
the
Amnesty Bookshop
The theme of Refugee Week 2023 was Compassion. Linda Combi, York artist, set up this unmissable installation in the window of the Amnesty York bookshop to show how we can protect refugees - along with a myth-busting chart.
On Monday 19th June, Amnesty York members were present outside the bookshop to raise awareness of the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers in this country and around the world, and this theme was continued by displays and handouts in the bookshop."
Take action and email Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – demanding he puts a STOP to the cruel immigration bill. follow this link
Rishi Sunak's government has voted to remove vital protections for those fleeing persecution and exploitation. The cruel new immigration bill will turn its back on our responsibilities to protect the most vulnerable seeking safety, as well as many other disadvantaged people. Despite widespread criticism, the government continues to push this cruel bill, using lies and sowing division in our communities.
York AI joined with the York Pride Rally on Saturday 3rd June...
We had two actions, one around #protecttheprotest and showing support for Turkiye Pride events. And another for supporting two trans women in Paraguay which required signatures for the petition.
Osman Kavala is one of Amnesty York's prisoners of conscience...
Before his incarceration, Osman Kavala’s main interest was setting up cultural centres around Turkey to promote artistic expression and access to art for all. In 2019, he received the European Archeological Heritage Prize for his work on protecting cultural heritage in danger in Turkey.
Residents and visitors in Kings Square in York filled two birthday cards with messages of support for Osman Kavala, in Turkey, for his 65th birthday in October. He is sentenced to life in prison on trumped up charges due to his opposition to the Turkish Before his incarceration, Osman Kavala’s main interest was setting up cultural centres around Turkey to promote artistic expression and access to art for all. In 2019, he received the European Archeological Heritage Prize for his work on protecting cultural heritage in danger in Turkey.
Amnesty International Bookshop in York has relocated to 19 Micklegate York YO1 6JH.
The team from York Unlocked visited the shop earlier this month and made this video: beautiful building, welcoming bookshop.
To find out opening hours and a whole lot more follow this link
PLEASE, NO MORE DROWNINGS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Amnesty York’s installation of the sea with a flotilla of origami boats (folded by Amnesty York, York for Europe and RAY) was displayed in the Minster’s South Piazza by the Roman column on Saturday October 23rd. This was in recognition of the thousands of people who try to cross the Mediterranean each year.
The display was the focus of many passers-by throughout the day. It was also an opportunity to make new Amnesty friends and meet up with established York group members. The Revd Canon Michael Smith joined us to express his support and undertook to remember those who perish in this way at evensong at the Minster.
Of those fleeing their homelands, some seek asylum, some flee poverty. This year, more than 700 (and counting) have drowned.
The stream of people will not stop until the world works together to solve the problems which send them on their journey. In the meantime, Amnesty International is pressing for:
— the creation of safe and legal routes to Europe for asylum-seekers (to put an end to people smuggling) along with a fair asylum assessment procedure.
- the end of the practice by FRONTEX, the EU border force, in cooperation with the Libyan coastguard of forcing people back to holding camps in Libya where they are forgotten, ill-treated and die.
- the end of prosecutions of people and organisations such as Médecins sans Frontières and Save The Children International for saving lives at sea (as is current, for example, in Italy).
* NB There are about 26 million refugees worldwide. In 2020, the UK had 35,770 asylum applications.
