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Table of Contents

1. What is Amnesty International?
2. What's the history of AI?
3. How do I become a member at ASU?
4. I don't go to ASU, how can I get involved?
5. How do I get on the list serve?
6. What time are the meetings?

What is Amnesty International?

    Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for human rights. Our work is based on careful research and on the standards agreed by the international community. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion.

    Amnesty International mobilizes volunteer activists — people who give freely of their time and energy in solidarity with those whose rights have been abused. We have more than one million members, supporters and subscribers in over 140 countries. We come from all walks of life, with widely different political and religious views, united by our determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.

(Info directly quoted from www.amnestyusa.org)

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What's the history of AI?

    More than four decades ago, the story of two Portuguese students sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raising a toast to freedom horrified British lawyer Peter Benenson. He wrote to the British newspaper, The Observer, calling for an international campaign to bombard authorities around the world with protests about the "forgotten prisoners". On 28 May 1961 the newspaper launched his year long campaign, Appeal for Amnesty 1961, calling on people everywhere to protest against the imprisonment of men and women for their political or religious beliefs – "prisoners of conscience".

    Within a month, more than a thousand readers had sent letters of support, offers of practical help and details about many more prisoners of conscience. Within six months, a brief publicity effort was being developed into a permanent, international movement. Within a year the new organization had sent delegations to four countries to make representations on behalf of prisoners and had taken up 210 cases. Its members had organized national bodies in seven countries.

    The principles of impartiality and independence were established from the start. The emphasis was on the international protection of the human rights of individuals. As Amnesty International grew, its focus expanded to take in not just prisoners of conscience, but other victims of human rights abuses – such as torture, "disappearances" and the death penalty. In 1977, the movement's efforts were recognized through the award of the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1978, it was honoured with a United Nations Human Rights Award.

(Info directly quoted from www.amnestyusa.org)

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How do I become a member at ASU?

    It's really simple...just go to the meetings.  Whereas it is encouraged to pay a 10 dollar fee that goes directly to AI on the national level, it is not necessary. 

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I don't go to ASU, how can I get involved?

    You don't have to go to ASU to get involved.  Here is a link to participating from the official AI USA website.  Locally, there are also many ways to get involved.  Many communities, for example, have their own AI groups.  Or you always come to our meetings.  There you'll find out other ways to get involved and help out with human rights.

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How do I get on the listserv?

Email amnestyasu@gmail.com, saying you'd like to be on the listserv.  In a couple days you'll start receiving club emails about meetings, events, and other AI related stuff.

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What time are the meetings?

That's a good question....since the meeting time and day of the week does change, check on this website to find out where the meeting will be.  The front page will have when and where the next meeting will be. 

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Revised: 03/02/05 .