MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda 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 on the protests in Philadelphia thus far.
Statement of Eric Ferrero, Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Communications and Digital Initiatives at AIUSA:
“Today, Amnesty International's human rights observers were at several protests and marches across Philadelphia. Our goal is to help protect the human rights that all people have to protest peacefully. Our independent observers saw peaceful protests, and saw police protecting people's right to protest peacefully and safely. We are aware of a number of citations outside the convention center, and we are still gathering information about them. Our independent, impartial human rights observers will continue to monitor planned and spontaneous protests through Thursday night, just as they did last week in Cleveland.”
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.