by Rob Hallam March 19, 2013 in main, news, photos by Rob Hallam
And the results of our AGM are in!
President: Ruth Brown
Vice President: Debbie White
Secretary: Jana Sweeney
Treasurer: Duncan McNab
Publicity Officer: Nikola Cabanova
Fundraising Officer: Maisie Peebles
Campaigns Officer: Dominic Walsh
Website Convener: Robert Hallam
Remember we will be electing two ordinary board members next term so you still have a chance to join the committee of 2013-14!
March 7, 2013 in actions, events, main, news by Martin Lennon
This week we held events focusing on gender based violence, harassment and assault. These are issues that we visit every International Women’s Day, but this year the talks on sexual harassment, assault and abuse as well as our workshops on taking action against it, felt particularly relevant on Glasgow University campus this year.
The treatment of the female debaters at this year’s ancients was shocking but unfortunately not at all surprising. The misogynistic abuse they received was part in part of a culture we live in where it is sometimes acceptable to judge women purely on appearance and where sexual and gender based harassment is normalised, where victims are told to expect it and where the perpetrators are excused.
For some reason this appears particularly acceptable within the Glasgow University Union. The incident this weekend was not an isolated incident; it is the result of a pattern of casual sexism and institutionalised condoning of sexism in the union – it didn’t start and end on Saturday night. The loyalty to the LAMB club, the bizarre pride of being the last single gender union in the UK, and the general aggressive laddish attitude that characterises many events at the union, have all had a part to play in the incident.
At the start of term we affiliated with the GUU because we wanted to try to be a presence across campus. We haven’t held any events there this term out of a mixture of practical concerns and because some of our members are very uncomfortable with this history and the culture at the union, but some among us maintained hope that the stories and image were exaggerated – the incident at the weekend convinced that last few that it hasn’t been.
GU Amnesty International is disaffiliating with the GUU, until we can see evidence of real change in the way it deals with attitudes to gender. After consulting our members, we do not feel we can credibly argue for respecting the human while having any relationship with a group so relaxed about disrespect and abuse towards women. We look forward to the day when we can campaign for human rights across campus and we hope the promised new code of conduct and equality training sessions can help change the culture of the GUU.
Until then, we urge anyone reading this to attend the demonstration tomorrow (Library Hill – 12pm) against all misogyny on campus, whether at the GUU, on bullying Facebook Pages or anywhere else.
by Rob Hallam January 11, 2013 in main, news by Rob Hallam
We figured that the old site was starting to look its age, so we’ve give it a wee sprucing up. It’s a bit easier for us to update too so hopefully it will be a bit more dynamic than out old site.
We’ve kept much of our old content up so you can still see pictures of our past events and down below you can even see our previous blog posts.
We also have a shiny new Facebook Page at:
If you want to keep up with us and can’t make our weekly meetings, these are the places to be!
January 10, 2013 in news by Martin Lennon
Happy New Year!
It’s okay, you made it through the winter break with the presents and parties and all that nonsense – now you can just kick back and look forward to another term of GU Amnesty fun (and activism). Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait another week for a proper meeting though.
As dissertations deadlines loom and resolutions are struggled to be maintained, we figure we can all do with a week to get back into the term time flow. So next Tuesday we’ll be back as usual at Committee Room 1 at 5pm. There is plenty to do this term including the launch of our new website and Facebook Page, a weekend away at Action For Change, more action on Conflict Minerals much more and last but not least the Secret Policeman’s Ball!
You are also cordially invited to Jim’s Bar tomorrow at 8pm for a wee informal social.
Welcome back,
Martin
October 22, 2012 in main, news by Martin Lennon
Hey everybody,
It’s with a heavy heart I have to tell you I won’t be coming to the meeting tomorrow, I’m away on holiday. Don’t fear though, I’ll be back next week. In the mean time you guys are being left in the capable hands of our own Elena.
This Week’s Meeting
We’re changing up the format this week and screening ‘Blood on the Mobile’. It shows the connection between our phones and the civil war in the Congo. Director Frank Poulsen travels to DR Congo to see the illegal mine industry with his own eyes. He gets access to Congo’s largest tin-mine, which is being controlled by different armed groups. It comes highly recommended by the Conflict Free Campus Campaign and our own Ruth.
It’s at our usual time of Tuesday at 5pm, but we’ll be in the luxurious surroundings of Boyd Orr Room 412.
Coming Up
– Our Dialectic Society event is on 21st November, if any of you guys have any contact with groups interested in Consumer Ethics, give us a shout.
– On Wednesday we’re having a bake sale on Library Hill. Jana will give you details tomorrow
– Our Poster Competition for the Secret Policeman’s Ball is now live. If you guys have ideas for a poster send them to publicity@guamnesty.org,uk for your chance to get 2 free tickets!
– We are having a screening of the 2012 SPB in the Williams Room on the Tuesday of Week 11
See you guys next week!
Martin
by Rob Hallam August 2, 2012 in news, We Like by Rob Hallam
Kristyan Benedict on the Amnesty UK blog has an excellent write up on the human rights abuses that are going on in Aleppo while the fighting in the city continues. It is a long piece but well worth a read.
Link: Justifying abuse kills hope for a human rights revolution in Syria
by Catherine February 27, 2012 in events, news, photos by Catherine
Hello Amnestiers!
See the full set of photos here!
Thank you and well done to all those who took part in the Arms Trade Treaty campaign on library hill on Friday. Your enthusiasm paid off as we collected dozens of signatures and more importantly, raised lots of awareness and interest.
This week’s meeting
This week’s meeting is in Committee Room 1 in the QMU, Tuesday at 5pm. In preparation for International Women’s Day next week (follow this link for more info: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/), we’re focusing on women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and on Amnesty’s new campaign to fight against the women’s driving ban in Saudi Arabia.
As well as this, we’ll take action for some urgent actions, and prepare a banner for the sleep-out on Friday!
Coming up
– Amnesty International and STAR sleepout, 2nd March on the steps of the Wellington Church: Our annual sponsored sleepout with STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is to raise money for Positive Action in Housing (http://www.paih.org/). Its a chilly but brilliant night full of chatting, singing and attempted sleeping! Here’s the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/245263332220635/.
– GU Band Society gig in aid of Amnesty, Mon 5th March, 8pm, £4, 13th Note: The brilliant Band Society is putting on a gig in aid of Amnesty. We had one last year and it was a resounding success! Here’s the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/153395158112770/.
– GU Amnesty, Red Cross and STAR ceilidh, Thurs 8th March, 7:30pm, £4/5, QMU: Get your dancing shoes on- the annual joint charity ceilidh is back! All the money raised will be going to help Refugees at the Glasgow Refugee service. Follow this link for the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/115036801958974/ .
See y’all tomorrow!
Catherine
by Catherine January 16, 2012 in events, information, news by Catherine
Hi everyone!
Sorry this mailing is a day late!
Thanks to those who came to the pub quiz with Mary’s Meals last night – we had a great turnout! Hope you had fun! I’ll let you know how much money has been raised when it’s all counted up.
This week’s meeting
This week we are back in Qudos in the QMU, 5pm, Tuesday.
We’ll continue to focus on Guantanamo Bay, then for some encouragement take a look at some Amnesty success stories over the last few months! If you’re new this semester, we’ll have a table dedicated to introducing the charity and society.
As well as this, we’ll crack on with Secret Policeman’s Ball planning!
Coming up
THE SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL 2012, Saturday 4th February: Our biggest event of the year is less than three weeks away! If you’ve not heard of it, this is a night of stand-up comedy and sketches all hosted by the brilliant Billy Kirkwood- keep your eyes peeled for posters up around campus and in the QMU. Tickets are only £5 and are available from the QMU box office and online at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/150821: snap ’em up!
Last week we had loads of people offering to help- thanks so much! We have thousands of fliers arriving this week so we need plenty more people to scatter them around Glasgow. Here’s the event page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/195138300581324/.
We also want to hold a bake sale to help promote The Secret Policeman’s Ball and a Guantanamo campaign on campus, but we’ll discuss that tomorrow and I’ll send you more details if you can’t make it to the meeting.
See you soon!
Catherine
Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guamnesty/
by Rob Hallam January 5, 2012 in events, news by Rob Hallam
The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back! On Saturday the 4th of February Glasgow University Amnesty International are hosting their fourth annual SPB: an award winning night of the best comedy Scotland has to offer.
We’re delighted to announce that double Bafta Award winning comedian Billy Kirkwood is back to compere for the fourth year running. Also giving you a lot to laugh about this year are: Graham Mackie, Chris Forbes, Sian Bevan, Barry McDonald, Des O’Gorman, Keir McAlister, Scott Gibson, and Jay Lafferty.
With a line up comprised of some of the best comedy talent in Scotland you barely need another reason to attend. But of course we’ve got one. The Secret Policeman’s Ball is a student-run benefit show being held in aid of Amnesty International. The work that Amnesty International does is vital in the fight against human rights abuses, and the positive impact that their work has is felt by individuals all over the world.
So join us for a night of comedy, laughter and high-jinks that’ll give you something to feel good about long after the show is over!
The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2012 is being held on Saturday 4th February at the Queen Margaret Union, University Gardens. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets are £5 and are available from the QMU box office and online at www.wegottickets.com
by Catherine December 5, 2011 in news, Pre 2012 Archive by Catherine
Hi everyone!
Sorry this update is a day late. Hope you’re all getting through exam season happily! The Protect the Human club night at Stereo was a great success! We made nearly £600! Amazing! Thanks to Owen for doing such a brilliant job and to all of you who went along.
This week’s meeting
This week we’re in Committee Room 1 at 5pm, Tuesday in the QMU.
It’ll be our last meeting of the term so we’ll have a nice relaxed one! We’ll start getting some decorations prepared for the Secret Policeman’s Ball, talk about plans for next semester and have a bit of a feedback session about what you enjoyed this term, didn’t enjoy so much, or want to do more of!
Coming up
– Same sex marriage consultation in Scotland: Action before the 9th Dec: The Scottish Government is currently seeking views on the introduction of religious ceremonies for civil partnerships, and the possible introduction of same sex marriage. Amnesty strongly supports the Scottish Government’s proposal which seeks to create a balanced relationship between same sex and mixed sex couples when it comes to civil partnerships and marriage. Our group is organising an awareness-raising event on campus. We’ll discuss it some more on Tuesday, but as ever the more people and the more ideas the merrier! Follow this link for more information about the consultation: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=325. We started to plan this last week- but because some of us are really bogged down with work we’re looking for some one who isn’t to take the reins on this one- but we’ll discuss tomorrow!
– Christmas caroling: We’re caroling at 12pm on Sunday 11th and Monday 12th December, from 12pm for an hour or so, starting on Byres Rd then moving to town; hopefully raising lots of money! Come along whether you can sing or not- we’ll hit the pub afterwards!
-Write for Rights Day, Sat December 10th: The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is Amnesty’s biggest letter writing date. Check out this link for more info http://www.amnesty.ca/writeathon/.
– Pub quiz with Mary’s Meals, Sun 15th January, Jim’s Bar, QMU, 7pm: A lovely way to spend a Sunday evening; a quiz with prizes worth competing for! This is a joint event with GU’s Mary’s Meals group: if you want to learn more about the charity, here’s the link to its website:http://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
We’ll need a group of volunteers to help arrange this closer to the time; let me know if you’re particularly interested in helping out.
– The Secret Policeman’s Ball is confirmed for Saturday 4th February in Qudos- very exciting! Billy Kirkwood is confirmed as our compere. The posters are almost designed so we’ll start on a massive PR drive soon. There’s masses to organise so we need everyone to get involved. This annual night of comedy has been more and more successful over the last couple of years, raising thousands of pounds for Amnesty, and we want to make this one the biggest yet!
– If you have any fundraising/campaigning ideas, please share them!
If you’ve not been to meetings so far, please come along- newcomers are always welcome. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 5pm in Committee Room 1 in the QMU.
See you on Tuesday (tomorrow!) at the meeting!
Catherine
Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/
by