Minutes for June 2023 meeting

  

AIUSA Group 342 meeting
21 June 2023 (via Zoom)
In attendance: Barbara, Bob, Struan, Dorothee

GREETINGS AND MEMBER CHECK-INS

Welcome to our newest member, Dorothee!

UPDATES

Meeting location

• Our former venue (Wegmans in Malvern) can no longer host meetings of organizations.
• A local nonprofit organization has a building in Exton where groups can meet at no cost. Attendees expressed interest. Barbara will contact for more information.

Gun violence prevention (Bob)

• Hopeful news: Two of four gun violence protection measures recently passed in the PA House: universal background checks (closes gun show loophole), and ERPO (extreme risk protection orders, also called red flag laws). Failed to pass: requirement to report stolen guns. Not yet voted on: Safe Storage Bill. 
• A Wear Orange event took place on June 2 outside the West Chester courthouse. Bob and Barbara attended. Victims of gun violence were remembered by family members. Local representatives and clergy spoke.
• A local GOP group planned to raffle off three firearms (including an AR-15) as a fundraiser. The raffle has been postponed following publicity.
• Gun Violence Archive (https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/) reports that 2023 is already the deadliest year on record for mass shootings (incidents in which four or more persons, excluding the perpetrator, are killed or injured).

Possible in-person actions

• “Take action” advocacy suggestions by AI: https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/
• In past years, our group held in-person Write for Rights events during holiday shopping season in a store in Exton. We invited shoppers to sign W4R petitions and write notes that were sent to prisoners of conscience. As the venue no longer exists, Barbara suggested holding a W4R event in a local coffee shop. Attendees expressed interest. Barbara will check into coffee shops in the next few months.
• Struan recalled that book sales held by AIUSA group in Scotland were very successful in raising money.  Dorothee suggested tabling at concerts.

ACTIONS

• URGENT ACTION: "Political Activists Unjustly Detained" (Tunisia: UA 52.23) [expires July 17,  2023]
• URGENT ACTION: "Indigenous Rights Activists Reported Missing" (Philippines: UA 50.23) [expires July 12, 2023]
• URGENT ACTION: "Arbitrary Detainee Dying from Neglect" (Venezuela: UA 55.23) 

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, September 20, 7:30 p.m (venue to be announced!)