MEDIA CONTACT: Mandy Simon, [email protected]
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) deployed human rights observers to monitor protests at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, OH, last week and at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA, this week. Following is a statement from Eric Ferrero, Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Communications and Digital Initiatives at AIUSA:
“Amnesty International's goal is to help ensure that all people's right to protest is protected, and our independent human rights observers monitored several demonstrations and marches across Philadelphia on Wednesday. The protests Wednesday appeared largely peaceful, and police observed by Amnesty International appeared to protect people's right to protest safely.
“Protests that Amnesty International's observers saw outside the convention center on Wednesday night became tense at times. There was a heavy police presence and our observers saw protesters detained by police. We are still gathering information about those circumstances.
"Amnesty International's human rights observers will monitor protests that may take place Thursday in Philadelphia."
Below are links to more on AIUSA's delegation and the human rights of protestors:
Letter from AIUSA to Philadelphia officials
Letter from AIUSA to Cleveland officials
Background on best practices for law enforcement handling protests
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning global movement of more than 7 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.