Amnesty International day of action on Kenya

http://www.amnestyu sa.org/By_ Country/Kenya/ page.do?id= 1011181&n1=3&n2=30&n3=931
Kenya

Reach Out for Kenya -- An International Day of ActionFebruary 27, 2008
The disputed election on December 27, 2007 sparked an outbreak of fighting and a series of grave human rights violations. More than 1,000 people have been killed, while more than 300,000 have been displaced. Click here to learn more about the crisis in Kenya.
On February 27, people worldwide can show their outrage at the continuing human rights abuses in Kenya in a series of international events organized by Amnesty International, including online actions and street demonstrations.
The people of Kenya, many of whom have endured unrelenting suffering in the last two months, need to be protected. Amnesty International urges Kenya's leaders to ensure the human rights of Kenyan people are upheld.
Extend a hand in support! This international day of public and online action will demonstrate solidarity with the people of Kenya and call on the Kenyan government to protect people from politically- motivated and ethnic violence.
Ways to Participate:
Online Activism
1. Leave personal messages of hope and solidarity on the BlogOrdinary Kenyans are using online tools to send photos and accounts of violence. Let them know they are being heard by posting photos and solidarity messages on the Individuals at Risk Blog. We will pass on your messages to the people who need it most in Kenya.
Many Kenyans speak English, but the other national language of Kenya is Swahili. In the spirit of solidarity with Kenyans, please consider including Swahili phrases in your messages:
ENGLISHReach out for KenyaRespect human rightsStop human rights violations
SWAHILIKuwafikia wakenyaHeshimu Haki za BinadamuKomesha dhuluma kwa haki za binadamu
2. Post Photos on Flickr
We have also set up a Flickr page for people to post photos of their vigils and collective messages of support: http://www.flickr. com/photos/ reachoutforkenya. To upload the photos, send an email to cold27south@ photos.flickr. com (use the subject line to give your photo a title and the body to add a description) . Your messages will resonate with the voices of the Kenyan people and increase the magnitude of their call for peace.
3. Join the Facebook Protesthttp://www.facebook .com/group. php?gid=87215691 46
On Facebook you can show solidarity with the people of Kenya in the following ways:
Changing your profile picture on February 27 (or before!) to show your support for the people of Kenya; you can update your status as well;
Showing support for Amnesty International' s demands by sending a letter to Kenyan leaders;
Uploading your picture onto our Flickr page;
Taking part in one of the public solidarity actions organized by sections around the world.
4. Take Action OnlineClick here to take action to protect Kenyan human rights defenders who have received death threats, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Wangari Maathai.
Download and sign the petition here.
5. Read the Testimonies of VictimsVictims of the political violence in Kenya are speaking out about the dangerous conditions they face in their country. Audiofiles of their personal testimonies can be found here.
Vigils and Demonstrations
»Download the PDF version of How to Hold a Vigil or Demonstration»Download the vigil flyer
Amnesty International has called for solidarity actions in cities around the world, particularly ones where Kenya has an embassy or consulate. In the United States, Kenya has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates in New York City and Los Angeles.
Washington, DCAmnesty International be holding a vigil outside the Kenyan Embassy, which is located in Dupont Circle at 2249 R St. NW, from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Los Angeles, CAA vigil will be held outside the Kenyan consulate at Park Mile Plaza, Mezzanine Floor, 4801 Wilshire Boulevard, from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Denver, COJoin Amnesty members in the sister city to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, at a vigil on the west steps of the Capitol at 6:00 pm.
Organize an event in your community! We are looking for Amnesty members and others to help organize and attend events around the country. In particular, we call for solidarity events where the U.S. has sister city relationships with Kenya, including:
Seattle, WA, sister city to Mombasa on the Kenyan coast
Minneapolis, MN, sister city to Eldoret in the Rift Valley, one of the areas worst hit by violence
Roanoke VA, sister city to Kisumu on Lake Victoria, which saw some of the worst cases of police violence against opposition supporters
East Orange NJ, sister city to Nakuru, badly affected by communal attacks and reprisals
Newburyport, MA, sister city to Bura
Amesbury MA, sister city to Esabulu
Letters to the Editor
Writing a letter to the editor of your local and/or national newspaper is a good way to highlight the International Day of Action for Kenya in your community. You can write letters to publicize a demonstration you are holding or to simply educate your town about the crisis in Kenya.
»Download the PDF version of How to Write a Letter to the Editor.
If you want to participate and would like more information, please contact:Ilona Kelly, Individuals at Risk Campaigner for Africa at ikelly@aiusa. org, orAnn Corbett, Kenya Country Specialist at aecorbett@earthlink .net
Protect Kenyan Nobel laureate Wangari MaathaiKenyan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai has recently received death threats from Mungiki, the outlawed gang that has claimed responsibility for murders including beheadings and mutilations. Maathai and two people working for her believe they were threatened because she has called for increased pressure on both President Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to reach an agreement on the political crisis in Kenya, and for her criticisms of politicians allied to the ruling party. » More actions
Latest NewsKenya: Amnesty International Says Kenya Must Investigate Post-Election Violence and Hold Perpetrators Responsible to Prevent Future UnrestFebruary 15, 2008Kenya: Prominent Human Rights Defenders in Kenya Receive Death ThreatsJanuary 30, 2008Kenya: Amnesty International Urges African Leaders' Summit to Turn Attention to Kenya Violence and Reject Sudan's Latest Bid for African Union PresidencyJanuary 30, 2008Kenya: Killings continue in KenyaJanuary 28, 2008Kenya: Government must protect people from politically- motivated and ethnic attacksJanuary 25, 2008Kenya: Amnesty International Condemns Lethal Force by Police in Kenya; Death Toll in Protests Rises to 12January 18, 2008
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