Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week (9/28/09 - 10/2/09) is an event to raise awareness about censorship around the globe. We are trying to combat the injustices against writers who have been punished for expressing their beliefs. Amnesty has teamed up with the library at Ledyard High to encourage students to read banned books and sign petitions and speak up for the writers around the world who have been imprisoned or treated unfairly.

Hey guys! I'm glad to see that we had so many people at our first meeting! Don't forget that this week (September 28th through October 2nd) is Banned Book Week. If you are interested in helping out with Banned Book Week or have any questions, talk to Colleen Lavin, Mr. Jannke, Katelyn or myself. Please visit the Banned Books table during your lunch wave. Like Katelyn said, if you have any ideas for projects for this year let us know! We'd love to hear them and get them started!

Our first meeting went great! Tori was selected as our project coordinator. We have quite a large group this year, which will allow us to work on many projects at once. Anyone who has a project in mind that they would like to do or even lead should try to talk to me, Tori, or Mr. Jannke before the next activity period. Or, if you are interested in leading a project but don't have a topic in mind, talk to me or Tori, we have plenty of information for you!

Final Activity Period

We had a great discussion during Activity Period this week. Next year will be incredible! Katelyn will be our group coordinator for next year and Bethany will be our project coordinator. Be thinking of projects to lead for next year.

Vote During Last Activity Period

Our last activity period meeting is May 20. We'll take nominees and vote for next year's student coordinator for the club. This person is responsible for maintaining communication with Amnesty International USA, passing on this information to club members, facilitating meetings, etc.

YUGA - Youth United for Global Action and Awareness

Check out this amazing camp that Porter Reim is planning to attend this summer. It just happens to be in Rhode Island. YUGA

"YUGA — Youth United for Global Action and Awareness is a network of young people around the US taking local action on global issues like poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate change and child exploitation. YUGA members run campaigns in their schools and communities throughout the year to get their peers involved in global issues and engaged as agents of change in our world."
-PLAN USA

Not for Sale Links

Here are several important Not for Sale links that you should investigate.
www.notforsalecampaign.org
Facebook Cause
MySpace (link coming soon)
Twitter

Jamnesty Cause Chosen

We decided on our focus for Jamnesty 2009 today. We are focusing on human trafficking which results in slavery, especially of women and children. Our efforts will largely center around supporting the Not for Sale campaign. Visit www.notforsalecampaign.org to learn more!

Baha'i in Iran

During activity period today, AI club students heard a presentation by Ms. Pantalone and an Iranian Baha'i on the persecution of people of the Baha'i faith in Iran. This is currently a growing problem. For more information visit: iran.bahai.us

Jamnesty Dates

Important dates for Amnesty, mark your calendars:
Band sign up deadline – May 8
Mandatory band member meeting – May 14 at 2:20 in room 211
Jamnesty – June 6 at 7pm

Jamnesty 2009 Project Planning

Contact Katelyn (sokrplar@comcast.net) or Bethany (bethRholland@aol.com) with your Jamnesty ideas and questions.

Violence Against Women Screening

The film screening last night was marvelous. About a dozen students came. We ate cupcakes and watched the film. Next, we watched part of the online discussion, followed by our own discussion, which proved most interesting. The whole night was so fun and productive that the participants decided to make it a regular occurrence. A new student group will be forming called Cupcakes and Causes. More information to come and look for its new Facebook group.

Chickumbuso Bracelets

We have 13 of the bracelets made by the women in Chickumbuso. Stop by room 211 or bring money to our next meeting as they will go quick. They are normally $20, but only $15 for LHS students. This is about enough to feed a family for a month.

Violence Against Women in Darfur Film Screening

The Ledyard High School Amnesty International Club, National Honor Society and Gay Straight Alliance are hosting a screening of the new film "Violence Against Women in Darfur." Afterwards, we'll participate in a live online panel discussion with Maria Bello, Niemat Ahmadi, Dr. Kelly Dawn Askin, John Hefferan and Reverend Gloria E. White-Hammond, M.D.

Time: Wednesday, February 11 from 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Ledyard High School Media Center
Event Details...

Learn more at www.savedarfur.org

Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project

Read up on one of our newest efforts, the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project.

Yearbook Pictures, Take Two

RESCHEDULED: During our next Activity Period (Thursday, 2/5) we will be getting our pictures taken for the LHS yearbook. Wear your peace tee shirts.

Yearbook Pictures

Remider: During our next Activity Period (Thursday, 1/29) we will be getting our pictures taken for the LHS yearbook. Wear you peace tee shirts.