Minutes for January 2024 meeting

 AIUSA Group 342 meeting

15 November 2023 (via Zoom because of inclement weather)
In attendance: April, Barbara (facilitating and recording), Bob, David, Emily, Heather, Kathleen, Shreya, Struan, Suzanna

UPDATES

• Welcome to new member Suzanna McGee,
• Welcome to guests: 
• David Rendell, AIUSA area coordinator
• Kathleen Lucas, AIUSA death penalty abolition coordinator for PA and executive director of  Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (padp.org)

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION (Bob)

• Newly elected Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker declared state of emergency, issued executive order to combat thefts, shootings, and the proliferation of open-air drug markets in Philadelphia.
•  Global Action on Gun Violence (GAGV): U.S.-based nonprofit organization working with and for the international community to  prevent gun violence (actiononguns.org)

HIGHLIGHTS ON THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE USA (Barbara)

• Amnesty International’s Annual Report 2022/23: www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol10/5670/2023/en/

AIUSA NEWS

• (Barbara) AIUSA Annual General Meeting, March 3–5, 2024 (www.amnestyusa.org/virtual-annual-general-meeting-2023/AGM)
• Lobby Day: February 26, 2024
• (David) Get on the Bus, April 2024 (date to be announced)

WRITE FOR RIGHTS

• Thapelo Mohapi (Heather)
• Ana Maria Santos Cruz (Barbara)
• Maung Sawyeddollah (Barbara)
• Thulani Maseko (Bob)
• Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul (Bob)

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION IN PA (Kathleen)

• On October 31, 2023, a PA House committee voted to repeal the death penalty
• Kathleen presented a strategy for visiting and urging our PA senators and representatives to repeal the death penalty and for thanking those who are already working on abolition. 
• She will be in contact with Group 342 members in the near future.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 20 March, 7:30 pm (hybrid)