Shell Hell Day
Thank you to everyone who took part in Shell Hell Day last Thursday. It was a great success. We are still gathering in petitions and letters from academics. We are then going to going to present them to Shell and make sure we make an impact. Below are some photos from the day:
Since the start of 2009 Nicaragua has enforced a total ban on abortions in the country. This applies to victims of rape, incest and women who’s lives are endagered by the pregnancy. A pregnant woman suffering from cancer, with children waiting at home, would be given an effective death sentence by being forced to come off her medication which may harm the fetus. The effects of this new law are already being felt. An amnesty report found that in the first five months of 2009, 33 girls and women died from pregnancy and birth-related complications, compared to 20 in the same period of 2008.
The Film Night:
St. John’s cinema, Thursday Jan. 21st, 9pm
We are working with John’s films soc to show critically acclaimed film, Vera Drake, which tells the story of a working class woman in London in 1950, who performs illegal abortions for women in need. Come along to support Amnesty and find out more about this campaign.
The Rally:
Meeting at Parkers Piece and marching to Guildhall – Saturday 23rd Jan – 1-2pm
We will be calling on the Nicaraguan government to repeal this appaling law, and showing our support for the rights of women world wide to maternal health and reproductive rights!! Join us.
The planning phase for CU Amnesty’s next big, fundraiser is about to commence:
We will be hosting The Secret Porter’s Ball!
A comedy night that unites student comedians with Footlights alumni (Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, John Cleese, Sacha Baron Cohen anyone?) and friends of Amnesty (Eddie Izzard, Frank Skinner, Jo Brand….).
We need YOU and YOUR enthusiasm to get this show on the road.
– have a creative urge? a bit good at making eye catching posters?
– have contacts in the Footlights or John Cleese up your sleeve?
– experience in event planning or a general keeness to produce the best show ever?
Remember our fashion show in April last year? We got Lily Cole, Sam Roddick, 15 student models and 17 designers to contribute to a night of ethical fashion and fun. We raised £2,500. This year we want to do even better.
Be a part of it? Know of someone who’d be interested?
Come along to our first planning meeting and ideas brainstorm at Murray Edwards college. Meet in the porters lodge foyer at 5pm on Wednesday 12th November.
Want a taster for some of the action. Here is some footage of Amnesty UK’s big comedy event, The Secret Policeman’s Ball which began back in 1976 by our very own Footlights star and ex Downingite, John Cleese.
Eddie Izzard at The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jHaR9rRpLg
Frank Skinner at The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CskQf4KFtMA
Russell Brand at The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1uhmnNnmL8&feature=related
Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?eid=330817325062&step=2#/event.php?eid=330817325062
We will be joining forces with the CUSU LBGT night: Rendezvous @ Revolution.
Tuesday 3rd November and Tuesday 1st December
Rendezvous is Cambridge’s newest LBGT night on a Tuesday. All are welcome to the sumptuous surroundings of Revolution to meet, chat, drink and dance the night away!
DJ playing a huge mix of party anthems and chart topping hits to keep Revs jumping all night long!
CUSU LBGT and CU Amnesty are proud to bring a friendly and welcoming party atmosphere to people of all sexualities so come down and join us for a great night!
Entry just £2 before 11pm, £3 after. Even better: a portion of your entry fee will be donated to Amnesty International!
CUSU Welfare and CU Amnesty International bring to you a night packed with the best comedic talent in Cambridge. Reserve your tickets now for a fantastic night of laughs all in aid of Amnesty International and CUSU Mental Health:
THE LINE UP:
Grace Rigg (Robinson College)
Adam Lawrence (Jesus College)
Ed Mustill (Clare College)
Phil Wang (Kings College)
Dannish Babar (Selwyn College)
David Stevenson (Homerton College)
Matt Lim (Magdalene College)
Emerald Paston (Murray Edwards College)
Watch student comedians unite to create a fantastic night of fun and laughs for you and your mates. You saw them here first.
And the best bit? Tickets are just A FIVER and all profits will be donated to Amnesty International.
Tickets are now available from this site.
http://www.cuamnesty.org.uk/cambridge-stands-up-tickets/
If you reserve now, you can bring your cash along on the night. You can also turn up at Trinity Hall on the night but we can’t promise there’ll be tickets left!
Where: Trinity Hall
When: 8.30 for 9pm start
Reserve now!
On the night, we will be dotted around with petitions campaigning for the release of Akmal Shaikh: a 53-year-old father of five from north London who is believed to be mentally ill could be executed in China within days.
On the 4th of june amnesty international organised a flower ceremony in london to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen square massacres. Cambridge Univesity Amnesty International member Hang Tung Chow was interviewed by Amnesty International about why she felt it was so important to keep Tiananmen on the news agenda.
Student conference is brilliant and well worth time out from uni. Our Cambridge group has 10 spots for delegates. If you would like one then please email us AND book your ticket at http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11635
We can then let you know what time the Exec are grabbing a train and we can all head down together!
Speakers already confirmed this year include:
Conference places cost £20 per person, which includes:
If you do not require accommodation, you can buy a food-only conference place for £15.
Members of the Exec will be manning a stall throughout CUSU’s Freshers’ Fair at Kelsey Kerridge. We would love to meet you properly and to tell you about our plans for this term.
We will also be petitioning for the release of the ’88 Generation Students Group’. In August 1988 a courageous group of Burmese students began to call for democracy. Their ’88 Generation Students Group’ rapidly gained broad support across the country and led many peaceful demonstrations for change. But the government responded to the demonstrators with ferocity. Security forces killed around 3,000 civilians and thousands more people were imprisoned – or simply disappeared. The surviving leaders of the student movement were given long jail terms, some spending up to 15 years in solitary confinement. Many of them are still in prison today.
We may also have sweeties.
Mr. Hugh Sandeman, country coordinator for Amnesty UK and former writer and editor for The Economist, will give a brief overview of human rights situation across the North Africa region with special emphasis on Algeria, and discuss how Amnesty is joining with other organisations to campaign against impunity for human right abuses in the country. There will be a short action with photo shoot at the end of the talk; do join us in making a difference for human rights in the region!
The talk will be held in the Bateman Auditorium at Gonville and Caius College at 7pm.
You also have time to attend another talk afterwards – so don’t worry about choosing between!
The Peterhouse Politics society are hosting Baroness Cox for a talk entitled “The Privilege of Making a Difference”.
Baroness Cox, formerly of the Conservative party, is a cross-bench member of the House of Lords with extensive experience in humanitarian work. She is the founder and CEO of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust and an active
member of the World Committee on Disability.
The Peterhouse Politics society are pleased to invite everyone to this talk free of charge, and there is
no dress code. The meeting will take place in the Music Room, Peterhouse at 8.45pm, and wine & snacks will be served. For further information, see their website (www.peterhousepolitics.co.uk).
Welcome to the new and improved home of Cambridge University Amnesty International (CUAI) 2009-2010.
Here you can find the latest Urgent Actions and the next letter writing events going on in your college. If you’re new to Amnesty, why not take a look at the letter writing guide available here.
We have many fabulous events in store for you this year. Check out the Term Card for the latest on all our plans, events and opportunities for you to get involved.
Keen to volunteer? Take a look at our ‘Get Involved‘ page for all available opportunities to help support CUAI’s work this year.
Are you a College Rep? Check out our College Rep zone for the latest petitions, Urgent Actions, email updates and ideas and info on how to make the most of your role in college.
For photos and write ups on our recent campaigns and events, why not take a browse through our ‘Past Events’ page and get an idea of what we do.
