Category Archives: Local Chapters

Group 39 members lobby for sensible gun legislation

Call to Action, Local Chapters

On January 29, 2019, several members of Group 39, together with activists from CeaseFirePA, went to Harrisburg to call for sensible gun legislation. They participated in a rally and met with State Representative Dan Frankel to call for the following improvements to Pennsylvania firearms laws:

  • Universal background checks;
  • Ban on assault weapons and military-style accessories;
  • Safe storage requirements for gun owners;
  • Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which enable courts to temporarily remove guns from people who are at risk of harming themselves and others.

Will of City Council to support refugee resettlement

Local Chapters

On the initiative of Group 39, Pittsburgh City Council passed on December 11, 2018 a Will of Council to express support for resettling refugees to the U.S.
Pittsburgh is a city built by immigrant communities, and we thank City Council for declaring that our city continues to be welcoming for immigrants and refugees. We also thank Councilman O’Connor for sponsoring this Will of Council.

Group 39 Focus Case Update (Zunar)

Local Chapters, Updates

Good news! After the travel ban against Zunar was lifted in June, the much more serious charges against him under the Sedition Act were dropped end of July. If tried and convicted, Zunar could have faced more than 40 years in prison. It seems likely that the charges were brought forth by the previous government to silence a critic of the former prime minister Najib Razak. This situation fundamentally changed after the 2018 general election in Malaysia, which ushered a different political coalition into power. It remains to be seen whether the new government will continue to hold human rights in higher respect.

More information can be found here:
“Malaysia drops sedition case against political cartoonist Zunar”
“Malaysia: Acquittal of Zunar and others must lead to repeal of draconian sedition law”

Group 39 Focus Case Update (Zunar)

Local Chapters, Updates

Good news! After the recent election that ushered in a new government in Malaysia, there are signs of hope:

The travel ban that has been imposed on Zunar in October 2016 was lifted (read more). Zunar, a political cartoonist whose full name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, has critized the government under previous prime minister Najib Razak for many years. In what appeared to be an effort so silence a critical voice, he has faced harassment, publishing bans, and criminal charges by government forces. Now that the travel ban has been removed, the publishing bans and charges under the Sedition Act (with a potential penalty of 43 years) still are unresolved.

More information about the election results and Zunar’s reflection on them:
“Understanding Malaysia’s political earthquake”
“Hopes for new era of Malaysian free speech…”
“I miss Rosmah, says cartoonist Zunar”