On March 24, local members of Amnesty International marched with high-school students and many other people for the “March for Our Lives” rally in support of tighter gun regulation. Amnesty International USA has called for a sustained campaign on this issue, and were glad to add our bodies to more than 10,000 others in Pittsburgh.
Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar, faces nine charges under the Malaysian Sedition Act for tweets with political content he sent. The charges could carry a potential penalty of 43 years in prison. Furthermore, five of his books have been banned on the grounds that they are “detrimental to the public order.” After being arrested in 2016, Zunar has been released on bail while awaiting his court date.
In addition, a travel ban has been imposed on Zunar in October 2016 without justification. He has challenged the ban and his case is scheduled to be heard by the High Court on 16 November 2017. [Statement by Amnesty International on travel bans]
In September 2017, the U.N. Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural studies, Karima Bennoune, visited Malaysia. In her preliminary report after the visit, she raises the issue of the Sedition Act charges and travel ban against Zunar and calls for both to be dropped.
On Feb 18, members of Group 39 added their voices to the Pittsburgh Solidarity Rally and March organized by Pitt College Democrats. The aim of the rally was to show support and solidarity with marginalized groups.
Members of Group 39 lobby members of Congress to support refugee rights, in particular the Refugee Protection Act. From top to bottom:
with Jordan Ball, Regional Representative in Senator
Robert Casey’s Pittsburgh office
with Matt Blackburn, Western Pennsylvania
Director for Senator Pat Toomey
with Congressman Mike Doyle