Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Amnesty International at UC Berkeley!

Thanks to everyone who helped us achieve so much this past year! We spread human rights awareness and action throughout our campus community, with great events including our Raise Hope for Congo Speakers' Tour, two Hunger Banquets, Stand Against Poverty, numerous service activities and much more. We're all looking forward to hitting the ground running in 2010... Look out for some truly amazing campaigns in the future.

And while you're reflecting on 2009 and making plans for the year ahead, remember the tremendous impact human rights activism has on our world. Check out Human Rights Watch's year in review to celebrate some landmark human rights achievements! Keep fighting for a better planet! We need your voice.

Happy New Year! We can't wait to explore all that 2010 has to offer. We hope you join us on the journey! Have any ideas on how we can improve next year? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Hunger Banquet on CalTV

Check out this report on November's Hunger Banquet event by CalTV, UC Berkeley's online TV station. CalTV has covered previous Amnesty International events, including Stand Against Poverty and the RAISE Hope for Congo Speakers' Tour.

Amnesty Human Rights Day Open House & Write-A-Thon

Commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by rubbing elbows with fellow human rights activists at the Amnesty International office in SF (for free)! Join us on Thursday, December 10 at 4:45 p.m. at the Berkeley BART station and we'll all travel to the city together!

There, we'll join Amnesty International members from around the Bay to chat, score some free hors d'œuvres, AND write letters to benefit prisoners of conscience around the world in Amnesty's Global Write-A-Thon!

Plus, Krishanti Dharmaraj, the Executive Director of Women's Institute for Leadership Development, and Gouri Sadhwani, Amnesty's Deputy Executive Director for Organizing, Membership and Campaigns will be speaking!

Interested in coming (I mean, it's Reading Week, it's Amnesty, and it's AWESOME!)? Check out the Facebook event, meet at the Berkeley BART with $7.30 in your hot little hand, and get ready for some major human rights networking, advocacy, and inspiration!

Lobby Dianne Feinstein for the Congo!

Right now, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is faced with war, displacement, and malnutrition due to decades of violence. YOU can do something about it! Join us as we lobby Dianne Feinstein, asking her to support the Conflict Minerals Trade Act!

Meet on Tuesday, December 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Berkeley BART station for a debriefing on the current conflict and the proposed legislation. After, we'll journey to SF to meet with Senator Feinstein's office. Be sure to bring appropriate attire, $7.30 for the BART fare, your driver's license, and your passion for human rights! You DON'T have to be an expert on the Congo... we just need you to lend your voice to an important opportunity to stand up for international justice!

Check out the Facebook event, and get pumped for Tuesday!

If you're interested, you MUST email Elizabeth at ehopper@berkeley.edu so she can tell Feinstein's office who's coming and they can put your name on a list for security.

Education Resources

For news on the opening of the Sri Lankan refugee camps, follow these links:

For interviews with individuals who have just left the camps: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/12/091201_srilanka_kv.shtml

For The United Nations' reaction: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=a8uZmh84nO6A

For Amnesty's reaction: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hf35LIAw6krLNJQ448-CSnyFNLWg

For new on developments in Guinea, follow these links:

For information on the upcoming inquiry: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8376800.stm

For an eyewitness account of the massacre: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8281581.stm

For news about the arrest of a human rights official in Guinea: http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Guinea-Military-Arrest-Human-Rights-Official-78107702.html

Please don't hesitate to contact me (Ed) at ed.jones90@gmail.com if you want to get involved with educating our membership and the wider campus community next semester. Additionally, if you are interested in narrowing the cleavages between groups on our campus-get in touch! I would love to hear all of your ideas.

Amnesty Holiday Party!

You're invited to the Amnesty International Holiday Party!

Don't be a Grinch... Come and your heart will grow three sizes!

When: Sunday, December 6 from 12-3
Where: TBD
What: Food, friends, games, mingling, Secret Santa gift exchange, holiday joy and merriment!
RSVP to the Facebook event!

Remember, this party is a potluck, so bring your favorite holiday treats to share, along with any games or activities you'd like to do!

Also, we're having a Secret Santa gift exchange, with a price cap of $10-15. If you're interested in being someone's Secret Santa (and getting a gift in return!), complete this form by 12/3.

Please feel free to contact us at ucbamnesty@gmail.com with any questions! Happy Holidays!