Category Archives: Main Events

Impressions of the virtual Write for Human Rights

Both our online kick-off and wrap-up events for the Write for Human Rights campaign had 20+ participants. Below are a few pictures, including a snapshot of the candle lighting ceremony, and live music presented by fellow Amnesty activist Michael Andrews from Florida. In total, participants wrote 126 letters, but we are sure that were many more letter writers out there among you that we are unaware of!

2020 Write for Human Rights (virtual)

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Every year in December, Pittsburghers write hundreds of letters on behalf people whose human rights are violated and in support of activists who defend those rights.

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic does not allow us to host an in-person letter-writing event. However, our fight for human rights is needed as much as ever. So we are not giving up but just changing the modus operandi: You will write your letters at home, we will provide all the info, and there will be two communal online events, to learn about the cases and support each other in our letter writing goals. Follow these links:

Write for Human Rights materials and background information
Kick-off: Thursday, December 10, 7pm
Report and celebrate: Tuesday, December 15, 7pm

17 Years, 8 Months, & 1 Day on death row …

Join us on Wednesday, March 4, 7:30pm at Sixth Presbyterian Church (1688 Murray Ave) to hear Juan Melendez tell his moving story of injustice, hope, and survival!

Juan Roberto Melendez spent seven-teen years, eight months, and one day on Florida’s death row for a crime he did not commit. Upon his release on January 3, 2002, he became the 99th death row prisoner in the United States to be released with evidence of innocence since 1973. Beyond the death penalty, Mr. Melendez’s story is an energizing and inspiring story of hope and survival that resonates with people all across the political and socio-economic spectrum, inspiring many to activism and public service.

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Co-sponsored by Amnesty International Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Sixth Presbyterian Church

2019 Write for Human Rights


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Join Amnesty International Pittsburgh (group 39) and many other inspiring Pittsburgh rights groups and community leaders on Monday, December 9, 2018, 6-9pm for at Calvary Episcopal Church our annual Write-for-Rights event.

This year marks the 33rd annual gathering in Pittsburgh! During the event you can contribute to writing between 500 and 1000 letters on important human rights cases of our time. The focus this year is on young people: Young people suffering from abuse of human rights, and young people taking the lead in defending those rights and needing our support!

Stop in and stay as long as you can. Write letters. Talk to other activists. Check out information tables about local groups working in Pittsburgh on local, national and international issues. Fortify yourself with the free refreshments.

Candlelight Ceremony and City Council Proclamation at 7:30 pm.