Film: "Lumo" Oct. 6, MLC 171 6:00 PM

Hey everyone,

Next week we officially begin our month of campaigning for women's rights. We'll start the month off with a film capturing the story of a young Congolese woman in recovery at a hospital for rape victims. The following is a synopsis pulled from the producer's website:

The agonies of war torn Africa are deeply etched in the bodies of women. In eastern Congo, vying militias, armies and bandits use rape as a weapon of terror.

Recently engaged to a young man from her village, 20 year-old Lumo Sinai couldn’t wait to have children and start a family. But when she crossed paths with marauding soldiers who brutally attacked her, she was left with a fistula— a condition that has rendered her incontinent and threatens her ability to give birth in the future. Rejected by her fiancé and cast aside by her family, Lumo found her way to the one place that may save her: a hospital for rape survivors set on the border with Rwanda.

Buoyed by the love of the hospital staff, and a formidable team of wise women known to all as “the Mamas,” Lumo and her friends keep the hope of one day resuming their former lives, thanks to an operation that can restore them fully to health. A feisty young woman with a red comb perpetually jutting from her hair, Lumo faces the challenge of recovery with remarkable courage and sass. As she and her friends recover from surgery, they pass the days by gossiping and sharing their dreams of one day finding love.

But when it looks like her operation may have failed, Lumo’s faith is thrown entirely into question.

On this uncertain road to recovery, Lumo shows that the solidarity of women can bind the most irreparable of wounds.

We hope everyone can make it to the screening of "Lumo" which will be playing in the MLC from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, October 6.

Nima Patel

Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco

Lilae@uga.edu

Meeting, Tuesday Sept. 29

Hey everyone,

Tonight we will continue our discussion on the death penalty and focus on international cases and the mentally ill. Come join us to discuss these important issues. Below are a couple of links that give background information.

Death Penalty Issues with Mentally Ill

International Death Penalty Issues

Nima Patel

Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco

Lilae@uga.edu

Troy Davis Teach-In Tomorrow!

Tomorrow Laura Kagel will be conducting a teach-in for the Troy Davis Case. This case has been a local priority for Amnesty and we hope to get the word out to those of you who aren't familiar with his story.




Laura Kagel who's with Georgians For Alternatives To The Death Penalty and Amnesty International will discuss the Troy Davis case in detail and will answer questions anyone may have.

Please come out and show your support for Troy!

Meetings are in Journalism 516 from 6-7 PM. If you'd like to become more involved in Amnesty stick around for our planning meetings right after the general meetings.

Nima Patel

Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco

Lilae@uga.edu

Film: "At The Death House Door" Sept 15, MLC Rm 171

**UPDATE: Film will be shown in MLC Room 171 from 6:00-8:00 PM.



Hey guys,


Next week we'll be showing a documentary, "At The Death House
Door," and here's a blurb I pulled from the producer's
website:


--At the Death House Door follows the remarkable career
journey of Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death
house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in
Huntsville, Texas. During that time he presided over 95
executions, including the very first lethal injection done
anywhere in the world. After each execution, Pickett recorded
an audiotape account of that fateful day. The film also tells
the story of Carlos De Luna, a convict whose execution
affected Pickett more than any other. Pickett firmly believed
the man was innocent and two Chicago Tribune reporters turn up evidence that strongly suggests he was right.

This film tackles controversial issues regarding the death penalty, a premier issue for Amnesty International. Soon after its foundation in 1961, Amnesty International began sending appeals to prevent the execution of prisoners of conscience. Over time, its opposition to the death penalty has broadened to include all prisoners, regardless of the crimes of which they have been convicted. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.

Progress has been dramatic in the last few decades. In 1977, only 16 countries had abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Thirty years later, that number had grown to 90.

**UPDATE: Film will be shown in MLC Room 171 from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Nima Patel

Nimapt@uga.edu



Eli Tedesco

Lilae@uga.edu

First Informational Kick Off!! Journalism Rm 516, 6:00 PM

Hey everybody!

Welcome back to another year of human rights activism! We hope the summer holidays were relaxing and everybody is recharged for a new year. There are several opportunities and updates we would like to inform you about:

-- Letter-writing meetings are now tentatively Tuesdays 6:00-7:45pm in Journalism Room 516. We might change to a room that offers AV equipment if one becomes available.

**Meetings will start TOMORROW, Tuesday September 8. This first kick off get together is a great time for new members to become informed about Amnesty International here at UGA including our campaigns, actions, and events for the coming year! We'll briefly discuss Amnesty's history and how we as a local branch operate, and then kick off the new school year with an action and information about every campaign we will be promoting this year. This meeting will also have FREE FOOD! Come out and bring your friends!

-- This semester we are planning two major projects. The first will be an event where we plan to sell pictures people have taken from all around the world. In order to get this project off the ground we could use everyone's help. The second project we're pursuing is a human-rights film festival early in the spring semester. This is an ideal time to begin working on both of these projects. If you are interested in working on either of these exciting projects, please contact us so we can put you in touch with the coordinators.

-- Another initiative were striving to accomplish is to have helped establish an Amnesty International chapter at every high school in Athens. If you would like to become more involved in this project please contact Eli Tedesco directly.

-- Troy Davis still remains a priority for our organization. Currently, the United States Supreme Court has issued an order mandating a new evidentiary hearing for Troy's case. There will be an opportunity to travel to Savannah later this month to rally for Troy Davis. We'll send out more information and updates about this case when we know more.

--If you are interested in becoming more involved with our organization please let us know ASAP. After each regular meeting, the planning committee hangs back and has their weekly meeting. Anyone may attend this meeting and pitch in ideas! We're always open to new people who want to get involved.

Once again our first informational get together is tomorrow, September 8 at 6:00 PM in Journalism 516. And remember we'll have FREE FOOD!

Nima Patel

Nimapt@uga.edu

Eli Tedesco

Lilae@uga.edu