Amnesty International

Blackheath and Greenwich

Newsletter

May 2014

1.2.3. Tea, coffee , look at notice board, Introductions and apologies

Updates on campaigns:Urgent Action :Chinese journalist GAO YU on notice board; in detention for 'leaking sate secrets', a smokescreen according to AI. Her son is missing, thought to be held as leverage against his mother; Angela to prepare letter for letter writing. Good News: LIU HUA released 17th April, anti-corruption activist says thank you for all who took action on her behalf.

Monthly Action: for union leader in Bahrain and two others: Graham ordered cards for letter writing and at Book sale.

4. Book Sale: 2 dealers asked for preview: no preview but offer to one to have access to Rachel's garage after book sale for one hour to chose books at half price.

Local offer of books: we do not collect.

Lisa and Geoff's garage open from Monday, May 19th, Ken to get Key,

Helpers and Drivers needed : move 70 boxes of books (mostly Routledge books from Abingdon) from Rachel' garage to Lisa and Geoff's. Brigitte to open Rachel's garage at 7pm.

First van collection on Tuesday, May 20th: helpers needed every evening from 7-9pm and weekends from 4-6pm.

Ann reminder: cakes needed for book sale: Get Baking!!!!

5. Stop Torture Campaign: Simon attend official opening. Will be our campaign at the book sale. 5 countries chosen because AI believe we can have an impact.

6.AIUK Conferenmce and AGM: Simons feedback: He found it interesting and enjoyable; our group had been praised several times by speakers and he collected an award for outstanding activism on behalf of our group. He attended a workshop on the new Stop Torture Campaign an voted on a record number of motions. A record of these and a short video can be found on the AIUK web site at www. Amnesty.org.uk/agm

Kate Allen reportd that the plannes staffing changes are in place and our Syrian Action photo at the Cutty Sark was appreciated.

7. AI Strategic Goals Consultation: discussion on whether AI is taking on too wide a range of issues or whether we should concentrate on fewer, more tangible, actual violations of human rights. David and Graham to draft our response.

10. Letter Writing 27th May: only Angela, Graham and Brigitte attend, (rest of group to wrk inthe garage) Angela Gao Yu letter, Dave Indonesian letter, and postcards for 3 individuals. Book sale leaflets to be handed out

11. AOB : Rachel attended London Region Meeting: London Conference on Stop Torture Oct 4th, Refugee Week just before and during book sale. Human Rights film at Hackney Picture House

The group's social media presence :
Blog -
Facebook -
Twitter -
And the website is still the best place to find the essential news on group activities, newsletters and meetings at
If group members have items they want uploaded to social media please email them to - i.e. photos, links to actions, newsletters, template letters for actions, event information etc.
EVENTS 2013-14
Tuesday May 27th / Letter Writing, Picture House Greenwich, SE10
Tuesday, 8th July / Group Monthly Meeting
19th May – 20 June / Book sale preparation
Saturday, 21st June / Book Sale, Church of the Ascension

Group Meetings: Second Tuesday every month (apart from June) at 8pm in the crypt of St. Margaret’s Church, Lee Terrace, SE13 5DL

Letter writing evenings: Fourth Tuesday every month (apart from December) 8pm in the bar (1st floor) at Greenwich Picturehouse, Greenwich High Road, SE10 8NN

Book Sales 2014: Saturday 21stJune; 9am to 5pm, Saturday 23rd November, 10am to 4pm, both at Church of the Ascension (COA), Dartmouth Row, SE10 8BF

Human Rights Action Centre (HRAC): 17–25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA; for any official events please register via the website at or tel: 020 7033 1675

AIBG Contacts
Position / Name / Phone / E-mail
Chair / David Weekes / 07900 278 311 /
Secretary (enquiries contact) / Graham Dock / 020 8699 9980 /
Treasurer / Kristina Blagojevich / 020 8305 1105 /
Membership, group website manager / David Webbe-Wood / 020 8244 0995 /
Meeting organiser
London Region Rep / Rachel Errington / 0208 852 0048 /
Publicity, Press Officer, Media / Simon Ware /
Newsletter / Rotating: Ken Ryder, Ann Hillary Brigitte Hurrell,
Roger Hardwick / 020 8856 5377
020 8853 3405 /

Email List: (posts to all subscribed members)

Website: www2.amnesty.org.uk/groups/blackheath-and-greenwich