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Planning your event, step by step Letter-writing tips Activity ideas for hosting your own Write for Rights event Get the word out Raise money for human rights Wear yellow December 10th Resources for your event
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Contact us today: writeathon@amnesty.ca or 1-800-AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789)
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Your organization has always been a great support for me and I say that as someone who has spent 14 years of my life behind bars.
Taghi Rahmani, husband of Narges Mohammadi, Iran
Write for Rights 2012 was overwhelmingly successful in providing solidarity with people demanding their basic rights. Knowing that others are concerned about the violation of their rights is utterly affirming. It provides them stamina to continue speaking up. It makes rights holders brave. And it can temporarily quiet a tense situation. As one Colombian human rights defender declared, Your interventions give us the oxygen we need to continue campaigning for our rights.
the European Roma Rights Centre. The meeting was a strong signal that the Ministry wants to resolve the access of Roma communities to housing.
Yolanda was threatened and then shot after speaking out against a proposed mining operation in Guatemala. She survived, and received many messages welcoming her home from hospital and ensuring her that her community is not alone. Looking at the cards, she exclaimed Its the most beautiful thing Ive received in my life! Im going to frame them. There are some drawings from children of 8 and 9 years old that are so pretty!
Amnesty members responded in a big way, when supporters from 80 countries wrote letters calling for justice for those who had lost their homes. Members in Canada also wrote 150 messages of solidarity directly to those from the former Coastei Street community. Claudia, a community member, wrote to say, Thank you very much to everyone for the letters that have been sent to the mayor, and also for the letters of solidarity that we received. We feel very much supported and we have confidence that with your support from around the world we will succeed. We do not give up because we know we have so many people that are standing by us in the fight for justice. We are really touched to know that people from all over the world are thinking about us and have written to us. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Just days after Write for Rights ended, the mayor spoke publicly length about the situation of the Roma community and presented upcoming plans to resolve the situation. The plans include desegregation of Roma children, ensuring social housing for the residents, and developing small businesses for local employment. In addition, the new Minister of Regional Development met with delegates from Amnesty International, and
Narges is an Iranian womens rights activist and a mother of 5-year-old twins. She received a sentence in April 2012 of six years in prison on charges related to her human rights work. She received some of the messages we sent to her via her husband. Taghi Rahmani sent a gracious note of thanks to everyone who wrote to her: Your organization has always been a great support for me and I say that as someone who has spent 14 years of my life behind bars. My wife, Narges Mohammadi and I, as human rights activists, have always been warmed by Amnesty Internationals dedication to promoting human rights. For me, Amnesty International is the symbol of an organization that wants human rights for all people. An organization that, free from any political affiliations, urges governments and other entities to respect human rights.
Amnesty International
We as a people thank all those who have nursed this initiative. We are sure that this struggle on our behalf will yield fruit gradually. We are hopeful for the best.
Chief Baribor Koottee, Bodo community, Nigeria
In 2008, two consecutive oil spills, caused by faults in a Shell pipeline, resulted in thousands of barrels of oil polluting the land and creek surrounding Bodo, a town of 69,000 people in Nigerias Niger Delta. Good news recently reached the community, informing them that the court of the Economic Community of West African States has ordered the Nigerian government to punish oil companies for the pollution they were causing. Dinebari David Vareba, from Nigerias Bodo community commented on the actions taken by Amnesty International supporters: I think this solidarity, I would say, is the highest we have had. assisting the Bodo people to actually have a better situation in the disaster which they had. Our international office reports that the Bodo people were positively overwhelmed by the solidarity from all over the world It has created a profound positive impact on them. Perhaps Chief Baribor Koottee put it best: We as a people thank all those who have nursed this initiative. We are sure that this struggle on our behalf will yield fruit gradually. We are hopeful for the best. We are encouraged. In fact, it is this kind of support that is helping us to live on.
and father-in-law were only allowed to meet with him for half an hour. They could not ask any questions about his treatment or his case. Nor could they ask if he had received any letters. He looked fine physically and appeared clear-minded. Gao Zhisheng did not speak much but simply asked that his wife Geng take good care of the children and not worry too much about him in the prison. Geng later wrote that the visit could not be achieved without the international communitys concerns and the effort and support from the membership of Amnesty International, for which my family and I feel most grateful. I hope Amnesty International will continue to promote this activity, allowing more people to come to know my husbands situation, until he gains his freedom. I have been receiving cards and letters from friends around the world. And a tremendous thanks for all those seeking justice for me and supporting me with all your heart.
Chiou Ho-shun, Taiwan
Gao Zhisheng is a lawyer unlike many in China: he is courageous enough to represent victims of human rights violations. Gao Zhisheng has experienced every form of human rights violation. He remains in prison today. However, a month after Write for Rights 2012, family members were able to visit him in prison for the first time in nine months. The visit was tightly controlled. Gao Zhishengs brother
Chiou Ho-shun has survived 24 years now in a Taiwanese detention centre. Amnesty International has been trying to get him off death row. After receiving a deluge of supportive and thoughtful messages, he wrote:
Recently, I have been receiving cards and letters from friends around the world. Its very touching. And a tremendous thanks for all those seeking justice for me and supporting me with all your heart. I also thank you for the love and care youve shown me, and to maintain the fairness and the righteousness of the Taiwanese justice system, I will fight until the end. Dear friends, all of the true passion you have shown me will bring my strength and give me courage. Words cannot express the gratitude I have towards everyone. Thank you! Finally, to all my friends, please accept my blessing, and may you and your family enjoy peace and harmony.
Amnesty International
Organize events in your classroom, school cafeteria, faith group, workplace or community. How about in a pub or coffee shop, a bookstore, or among family and friends? See the Activity Ideas section for more ideas.
Resources section and order your supplies as soon as possible. Ordering last minute means higher shipping fees plus lots of anxiety as to whether your supplies will arrive on time.
posted throughout November as they are finalized and all will be at Writeathon.ca by December 1. Make sure passersby notice where and when your event is taking place. Before and during your event, set up large signs outside and around your event location. Use street or hallway signs to publicize your ever-increasing letter-writing tallyits a great way to encourage more people to join your event.
Monday. Choose a day that works best for youon December 10th itself or just before or after. Students. Co-workers. Family and neighbours. Members of your Amnesty group. Book club. Faith community. Decide who you want to attract to your event and how best to attract them.
Who:
accessible to the people you want to attractaround a kitchen table, in a school gym or classroom, in a workplace lunchroom, during or after a faith service, at your local library, caf or pub, or among email friends.
event at Writeathon.ca as early as you can. If you are still waiting to finalize the exact time and location of your event, include instructions for your viewers on how to contact you for more information. Letterwriters need to know well in advance if there is an activity planned in their community. Once you have the complete information, go back on-line and edit your registration. Check to see if other Write for Rights events are happening where you live. If so, consider coordinating your activities or ways to give each other support. Many larger communities can easily support several write-a-thons.
Welcome participants and help them get comfortably involved in letter-writing. Copy and distribute the handy one-page Letter Writing Tipsremember that many people may be writing appeal letters for the first time. Prepare pre-printed address labels to make the addressing of envelopes easier. Show an Amnesty video or PowerPoint introduction (on the DVD). Include snacks, Amnesty candles, and music. For public events, bring in guest speakers for short presentations.
Rights flyers and posters. Use the space on posters to include information about your event. Use the tips and resources in the Get the Word Out section to attract even more participants.
Amnesty International
children can create their own colourful messages with crayons and paints. Use our special online childrens cases. See Involving Children at Writeathon.ca.
Include a people counter and a letter counter where participants can see the growing number of participants at your event and the number of letters they are writing. Ring a bell or blow a horn and announce your totals during your event.
work on than will be featured during Write for Rights, and Amnesty needs financial support to continue our work beyond this event.
Have lots of writing paper, pens, envelopes and stamps on hand. If you are using computers and printers, check the day before to ensure everything is working and that you have plenty of paper and ink. Use a jar to collect donations for postage.
Have fun!
Amnesty International
Letter-Writing Tips
6. Make it personal
Use your own voice. Writing a letter in your own words and with your own style will be more effective than a form letter. You may also wish to give an idea of who you are as this indicates that the letter is genuine and that people of all ages and walks of life are interested in the case.
3. Be brief
A short letter is adequate and certainly better than no letter at all. Describe your concern in the first sentence and make a request in the second. A good rule is not to write more than one page (one side of a paper).
Amnesty International
your letter
CC as per the
instructions. That means you write two copies of the same letter, one to each person.
Keep it short:
Odds are an intern is reading your letter and deciding what to do with it in 15 seconds.
Date: Standard,
but it gives the reader a sense of immediacy: you expect results!
the point youre making is correct because Amnesty has done the research.
Courteous
Signature:
Your signature, name and address prove you are a real person.
Remember: A five minute hand-written letter like this could have more influence on a government leader than 200 emails on the subject.
Amnesty International
Activity ideas
You can Write for Rights anywhere!
At home, in your community, at work or at school. Make a party out of itorder food, invite some friends, and get writing! If youre feeling competitive, start up a Write for Rights Challenge. Here are some ideas to get you started...
In your school
Offer exam study distractions in the library with letter-writing cases and holiday treats. Or have a hot chocolate stand by the library with petitions to sign. Set up a skip-day where students can skip study period for a small donation and a letter.
At home
Throw a cocktail party, pizza night, or potluck. Order delivery or takeout inspired by a country youre writing on. Show a film or documentary to motivate letter writers to respond. Host an open house or party, inviting friends and neighbours to stop by and write a letter. Have a toboggan or skating party and warm up by the fireplace with hot chocolate and letter-writing.
Order pizza and sell it for money or letters (e.g. $3 donation or write 3 letters for a slice). Set up a letter-writing booth in the cafeteria or atrium, show videos or have creative solidarity actions available.
In your community
Go to pubs and cafs. Gather with friends at your favourite hangout. Ask the owner to sponsor your event. Its good for business! Visit bookstores, libraries or shopping malls. All you need for a public display is permission, a few Write for Rights posters, a petition and Amnesty bookmarks or buttons to give away. If the venue asks for insurance coverage, contact us and we will handle the paperwork. Think warm thoughts. Set up a hot chocolate and letter-writing stand at a bus station or skating rink. Connect with local artists and craftspeople to support your Write for Rights activity. For example, a group in Coquitlam asked a local potters guild to create unique candle sticks one for each participant. The participants later lit the candles for a short vigil in honour of those who risk their lives for human rights.
At work
Set up a letter-writing hub in your lunch room or near the coffee machine. Promise tasty snacks and people will come! Offer ready-tosign petitions or postcard actions. Throw a potluck and letter-writing lunch event for your colleagues.
Amnesty International
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Ask the mayor in your town or municipality to mark Human Rights Day in the community. You can organize a flag raising ceremony and raise the Amnesty banner in front of city hall.
Whatever y ou us about it do, tell !S photos and hare your re Writeathon port at .c @Amnesty a or Now
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@AmnestyNow
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/amnestycanada
Write for Rights Kit 2013
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I count the times Amnesty members have saved me. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Laureate, Kenya
Amnesty International is a symbol of human rights and freedom, not just in Azerbaijan, but everywhere in the world. I am grateful for all the hard work done by your organisation and other organizations which fight for freedom in Azerbaijan. Jabbar Savalan, was arrested the day after he posted on Facebook calling for a Day of Rage in Azerbaijan, inspired by protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Thanks to 2011 Write for Rights campaign that sent 130,000 actions, Jabbar Savalan was released two weeks later.
Dont be shy! Just remember: youre giving people the chance to stop human rights violations. People wont know unless you ask them and the worst that will happen is they will say no. Most people will be happy to donate when they realise they can create real change for others.
Amnesty International
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Set up a yellow-themed bake sale to draw people over to your letter writing table. Perhaps throw a yellow cloth over your table and sell lemon tarts, banana cream pie, yellow cupcakes or pineapple cake. How about a yellow-themed party or ball using a yellow disco ball, or yellow balloons? You could develop a fun yellow-themed quiz night or play songs with yellow as the theme or title. Buy one of our exclusive Amnesty International yellow toques for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one. Take advantage of our limited time offer of $20 a toque! For more fundraising ideas, order our 50 Ways to Raise Money for Human Rights booklet for free at materials@amnesty.ca.
Amnesty International
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t-shirts
Get your Amnesty International T-shirt. Many sizes available.
$35.00
+ HST
Free postcards
4x 6 postcards: let people know about your event!
Amnesty Toques
Buy one of our exclusive Amnesty International yellow toques for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one. Take advantage of our limited time offer. $20.00
+ HST
Free stickers
Free Amnesty International stickers.
Free booklet
50 Ways to Raise Money for Human Rights - great fundraising tips.
Amnesty International
order NOW!
To order contact us at
December 10 2013
Writeathon.ca @AmnestyNow #write4rights 1-800-AMNESTY
participate in the worlds largest letter writing eventeither on your own or with others in your community. We deeply appreciate your activism. Write on!