Amnesty International USA
Local Group 178
Irvine, California
In the spring of 1979, Local Group 178 was formed. Based in Irvine,
California, but drawing support from all over Orange County, it was
the first group in the area. Since that time, between 15 and 30 people
of all ages and from all backgrounds have come together the last Thursday
of every month to work on issues of Human Rights violations around the
world, principally by writing polite but firm letters to those in a
position of power and influence.
In addition to working on specific cases assigned by Amnesty International
London Headquarters, the group participates in actions that focus attention
on particular human rights problems or problem areas. Recent examples
include the campaign to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the signing
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, our ongoing campaign to
stop executions in the world, and various country campaigns. Individual
members also participate in Amnesty International's special letter writing
activities in the Urgent Action and Freedom Writers networks.
Since its formation our group has worked on twelve prisoners of conscience:
Tunisia, Zaire, Malaysia, Uruguay, Namibia, USSR, Nepal, Benin, Sri
Lanka, Myanmar, South Korea and China. One of our most recent action
files was the case of Rebiya Kadeer, a Chinese woman of the Uyghur ethnic
group who was finally released by the Chinese government in 2005. Currently
we are working on the case of Dr.
Michel Sa’adey who was "disappeared" in Syria in 1978.
We also organize fund-raisers, table at events, participate in demonstrations
and vigils, and work with other organizations to raise human rights
awareness.
Campaigns and Actions
In addition to the action file mentioned above (the case of Dr. Michel
Sa’adey), our group also participates in many of the current Amnesty
International campaigns: Death Penalty, Environmental Campaign, Outlook
(gay and lesbian human rights), Western Africa Regional Action Network,
etc… Please click on the links on the left for Action File
or Campaigns to learn more about our group’s activities
in this area.
Financial Donations are much appreciated
See our fund-raising page
for more details.
