This year includes a focus on gun violence, which AIUSA declared to be a human rights crisis in the country in a September report examining how all aspects of life in the United States have been compromised in some way by the unfettered access to guns, with no attempts at meaningful national regulation.
“The ability to go about your daily life in security and dignity, free from fear, is at the very heart of human rights,” said Margaret Huang, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. “No one’s human rights can be considered secure as long as our leaders fail to do anything about gun violence. We know that the people of Chicago know this all too well. We’re proud to host our annual gathering here to bring activists from around the city and around the country together to lift up human rights both at home and abroad.”
The meeting will begin on Friday, March 1 at 2:30pm with an action at City Hall focusing on gun violence prevention. Speakers will include the Secretary-General of Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo, as well as the Executive Director of LiveFree Chicago, Ciera Bates.
A panel on Saturday, March 2 at 10am will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about gun violence and come together to take action, participate in workshops, and hear from experts. Speakers include the Executive Director of Amnesty International USA Margaret Huang, Co-Founder of the March For Our Lives movement and alumnus of Parkland, Florida high school Marjory Stoneman Douglas Brendan Duff, Executive Director of the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s Youth Safety and Violence Prevention programs Chico Tillmon, and representatives from Good Kids Mad City. Both the Friday action and the Saturday panel are open to press who RSVP to [email protected]
Other events at the Annual General Meeting include workshops on sexual and reproductive rights, healthcare as a human right, building bridges with people in support of refugees and asylum seekers, how to win state and local human rights campaigns, and campaign opportunities to stop U.S arms sales that are contributing to crises.
For more information please contact [email protected].