PAST ACTIVITIES
Our biggest annual event is WRITE FOR RIGHTS in which we join thousands of Amnesty members and groups around the world for a concentrated effort on behalf of 10-12 individuals at risk (and Prisoners of Conscience) in different countries.
We worked with the City of Oakland on the I-Welcome Campaign Amnesty launched. In our case, the city already had passed a resolution to ensure that refugees are welcome. We made our local officials aware of the work Amnesty International USA has undertaken on behalf of refugees.
Working with the International Rescue Committee, in 2019 our group mentored a family from Afghanistan for six months. We were one of the first AIUSA chapters to be part of this program. Later we encouraged other groups to join the program with a presentation at the AIUSA Western Regional Conference. Mentoring entailed buying the furniture and installing that furniture and some donated objects for their new apartment as well as providing rental assistance for their first six months in the United States. We also helped one family member with English lessons, provided family members with transportation to medical and other appointments, celebrated a birthday and organized other fun events with the family, and provided other assistance.
Another major effort, in conjunction with other human and civil rights organizations, was the campaign to end the money bail system. We worked closely with the ACLU and other national and local organizations to support legislation in California to end money bail. While the legislation was not all we hoped for, it was an important start to end this unfair, racist system.
There are many human rights issues that demand the attention of committed people around the world, and members of Group 612 are doing our part to address these issues. We welcome new members.
Past Events
10am - 3pm Sun, 12/15/2022 @ Jack London Square
Every year, near International Human Rights Day, we hold a "write-a-thon" to generate hundreds of letters of support on behalf of prisoners of conscience and other individuals at risk around the world. This is part of Amnesty International's global Write For Rights (W4R) campaign, started in 2007 by a local chapter in Poland. Read more about Write For Rights on the AI USA website.
We cordially invite you to join us in writing letters and solidarity cards on:
Sunday, December 15 (10:00 am - 3:00 pm)
CUESA Farmers Market @ Jack London Square, Oakland, CA 94607.Palm Plaza area of the square (near Jack's Cabin) at Webster St and Water St.
Here are a map and directions.
World Refugee Day 2019
11:30 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday, June 23
Think College Now Elementary School, 825 International Blvd., Oakland
Tabling -- sharing information about Amnesty International advocacy for refugee rights.
World Refugee Day event hosted by the East Bay Refugee Forum.
Write for Rights 2018: annual worldwide letter-writing for Prisoners of Conscience
11 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday, December 15 and Sunday December 16, 2018
The Crucible <www.thecrucible.org>
1260 7th Street Oakland
CA 94607
(a short walk from West Oakland BART station)
This event was another great success, just like prior years at The Crucible! We had one of the highest letter counts of any AI USA group. Here are the items done for each case:
World Refugee Day 2018
11 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday, June 23
Think College Now Elementary School, 825 International Blvd., Oakland
Tabling -- sharing information about Amnesty International advocacy for refugee rights.
Write for Rights 2017: annual worldwide letter-writing for Prisoners of Conscience
11am to 5:00 pm, Saturday, December 16, 2017 and Sunday December 17
The Crucible <www.thecrucible.org>
1260 7th Street Oakland, CA 94607
(a short walk from West Oakland BART station)
Every year, near International Human Rights Day, we hold a "write-a-thon" to generate hundreds of letters of support on behalf of prisoners of conscience and other individuals at risk around the world. This is part of Amnesty International's global Write For Rights (W4R) campaign, started in 2007 by a local chapter in Poland.
Last year, we had a record number of people stand up for human rights at our East Bay event and, because of their efforts, we sent over 1,000 pieces of mail in support of these persecuted individuals. Can you help us stand up for human rights with a strong a voice this year?
Come out and Write 4 Rights!
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf signing letters with us!
Saturday, 27 May 2017
We tabled at the Eastlake Music Festival on the south end of Lake Merritt. We did this in 2016, it was a very successful form of outreach.
Write for rights 2016: annual worldwide letter-writing for Prisoners of Conscience
Saturday, December 10, 2016
This event was an incredible success! We had more letters written than any other year in recent memory. Thanks to all for their dedication and effort.
Every year, around Human Rights Day, we hold a "Write-a-thon" to generate hundreds of letters on behalf of Prisoners of Conscience and other individuals at risk around the world. This is part of Amnesty International's global Write For Rights campaign, started in 2007 by a local chapter in Poland.
Our venue this year will be The Crucible , an arts education organization that fosters a collaboration of arts, industry, and community. We will be holding our W4R during their "Gifty" weekend, where dozens of leading artists, craftspeople, and Crucible faculty members will be selling their best hand-made pieces in a holiday celebration of local creative culture.
We will be writing letters on behalf of the 12 cases featured in the campaign this year: http://write.amnestyusa.org
We look forward to seeing you at the Crucible!
Film Screening to Support California Proposition 62 - "After Innocence"
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 8, 2016
Oromo Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church
100 Hacienda Ave, San Lorenzo, CA 94580
Proposition 62 is the ballot question to end the death penalty in California. Our group is working to support it. Please join us to see a moving film, to learn more about the death penalty and Prop. 62, and to find out how you can help.
Aaron Owens will also be speaking.
Tabling at East Lake Music Festival
May 28, 2016
Our group gathered petition signatures and educated voters about the 2016 ballot proposition to end the death penalty in California. All with a shady tent and lovely Amnesty banner. Here is some proof!
Write4Rights 2015
Public Event, 1 - 5pm, Sunday, 13 December
Espresso Roma
2960 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
We will take part in Amnesty's annual global Write4Rights event. Amnesty has chosen 12 cases this year. People around the world will write letters on their behalf. You can register for the event and find it on a map by going to write.amnestyusa.org/map and entering zip code 94705, or visiting this link.
Event and Holiday Party
5 pm, Saturday, 19 December
Elsie's home
Both events were a great success! Thanks to all who took part. Our letter totals were:
Other Past events
Write4Rights 2014 event - Dec. 7, 2014
Holiday gathering and Afghan women's human rights presentation - Dec. 13, 2014
2014 Mid-Year Write for Rights redux - 1-5 pm, 3 May, Espresso Roma, Berkeley.
2013 Write for Rights - 1-5 pm, 8 December, Espresso Roma, Berkeley.
Proposition 34 (Anti Death Penalty) Movie Screenings, Sept. 2012