Inaugural Issue: Amnesty Insider‏

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE Welcome to the first monthly issue of Amnesty Insider for those who make Amnesty International USA what it is—members and activists across the country and around the world who take injustice personally and work for human rights for all people. The last few weeks have been extraordinary, with the release of Alfred Woodfox in Louisiana and the government of Burkina Faso affirming its commitment to eradicating early and forced marriage—two major victories that Amnesty activists and members helped make happen. As always, we celebrate these phenomenal successes by working even harder for the individuals whose human rights are still being denied and by helping change the systems that perpetuate injustice—from Rio de Janeiro to Missouri. You can read about some of our latest work in this newsletter, and I hope you’ll be joining us at the Annual General Meeting in Miami this weekend to begin to shape our work for the years ahead. If you won’t be attending in person, you can follow along online through our live-stream. Thank you for your activism, Margaret Huang   HELP FREE STUDENT LEADER PHYOE PHYOE AUNG Last spring Phyoe Phyoe Aung was arrested after organizing a peaceful protest speaking out for freedom of education in Myanmar. During the protest police attacked students with batons. Phyoe Phyoe Aung is now facing a lengthy jail term. We have concerns that Aung San Suu Kyi’s new government—which is forming now—won’t have enough political capital to release all prisoners of conscience. The incoming government must take bold steps to show that Myanmar has left its vicious cycle of repression and political arrests behind. Please help us highlight this important case during this crucial time. Take action now FSU Stop Torture Campaign officers from left to right. Natalia Rivera (publicist), Lauren Watford (co-director), Ambar Martin (co-director), Savannah Liner (special events coordinator), Eric Rodriguez (treasurer). This is our website. Here people can look into our group activities as well as information about our human rights conference and our social media outlets. People can also register for our conference here starting March 26th. YOU ARE HELPING TO STOP CHILD MARRIAGE: ACT NOW Young girls and teenagers should not be forced to marry. In response to pressure from letters from Amnesty activists, the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Civic Promotion in Burkina Faso has recently committed to raise the legal age of marriage for girls to 18 years. This is a big victory. Take action to acknowledge the Ministry’s support and to urge them to enforce this change.    SUCCESS: ALBERT WOODFOX IS FREE After spending 44 years in solitary confinement, Louisiana prisoner Albert Woodfox walked free on February 19. Amnesty supporters were instrumental in this release. Celebrate with us. Hear directly from Jasmine Heiss, Amnesty’s Senior Campaigner on Albert Woodfox’s case.       ACTIVIST RESOURCE CENTER Join the ARC and enjoy exclusive benefits, including organizing materials, recorded webinars, training materials, and find other members who are on the ARC. You can submit your workshop proposals to the AGM and Regional Conferences or make a request to send an email to other members by completing the form on the homepage. Join now. Contact Adam, Community Manager, with any questions at arcsupport@aiusa.org. How did you like our first issue of Amnesty Insider? Let us know what you think. © 2016 Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001 | 1-800-AMNESTY