Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike in Chile

Ester, Ismail, and Cylvanna during one of the Group-128 activities in downtown Amherst.

In the last meeting of the Chapter, the Chilean-American member Ester Orellana, updated the group on the hunger strike of the Mapuche political prisoners in Chile.

"Since the 12th July 31 Mapuche political prisoners have been on hunger strike in the Chilean prisons of Concepcion, Temuco, Valdivia, Angol and Lebu. The political prisoners are demanding the right to a fair legal process, the application of an objective and impartial system of justice and, in particular, the abolition of the anti-terrorist law."

For more information on this urgent case see this link:
http://www.mapuche.info/?kat=8&sida=788

Activities in Aug

So far we are having a good successful 'tabling' events @ the Amherst Farmers Market.

Our Aug 7 table witnessed good crowd of a diverse poulation from many different towns (and states) who usually come to the popular Farmers market.

We were joined last week by a group of activists from the

Sudanese immigrants community of upstate NY (Albany, Schenectidy, Troy, and Cobblskill).

They came to visit to learn from our experience how to start a similar 'tabling activity' in their towns that service issues of their interest.

"I think I will be able to start something like this" said Osman who work in a neighborhood store in Albany and was thinking to have an Information table once a month @ his store. Our active member, Martha, encouraged him and offer to provide clipboard and a starting kit.

Our next table will be on 8/21 @ the same place 11am and followed by our monthly meeting @ 1pm.

August Tabling dates

* August 7 is our first Table this month (we will be tabling with Western Mass. Darfur Coalition). Coordinated by Fanny & Mohamed

August 21 is our second table (coordinated by Nigel & Ismael

Don't forget our annual fundraise Tag Sale is September 12 (Sun).

Justice urged for murder of human rights defender in Democratic Republic of Congo

source: Amnesty International

30 July 2010

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must bring to justice those responsible for the murder a human rights defender five years ago, Amnesty International and Minority Rights Group International said.

Pascal Kabungulu, a prominent human rights activist, was killed on 31 July 2005 by a group of armed men who broke into his house in Bukavu in eastern DRC, dragged him out of his bedroom and shot him dead in front of his family.

The trial of the men accused of killing him, who include a Colonel in DRC's armed forces, has been deadlocked since December 2005.

"President Joseph Kabila made a public and personal commitment in 2006 that justice would be done in the case of Pascal Kabungulu," said Claire Morclette, DRC campaigner at Amnesty International.

"The fact that Pascal's wife and six children have had to flee the country and yet his killers remain free makes a mockery of this promise."
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