Human Rights for All: One Movement One World

Amnesty International USA Western Regional Conference 2011 November 4-6, 2011 Los Angeles

Contents...... 01

Program...... 02

Welcome from AIUSA’s Western Regional Director...... 04

Welcome to AIUSA! The AIUSA Board and Resolutions...... 05

Best of the West: Opening Night...... 05

Opening Plenary...... 06

Human Rights Summit Track 1 Human Rights Panels...... 08 Workshops...... 09

Human Rights Summit Track 2 Human Rights Panels...... 10 Workshops...... 11

Afternoon Caucuses...... 12

Keynote Address...... 13

Film Screening with Rainn Wilson...... 14

Resolutions Voting Plenary...... 15 Co n te ts //

Closing Plenary...... 16

SAFE California Training...... 18

Staff Bios...... 18

Acknowledgements...... 20

Hotel Map...... 20

01 Human Rights for All: One Movement, One World

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Registration 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Welcome to AIUSA! The Board, Resolutions, and How Your Voice & Vote Matter California Ballroom 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Break 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The Best of the West: Opening Night at the 2011 Western Regional Conference California Ballroom With musical guest Ximena Sariñana

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Registration 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Human Rights for All: Opening Plenary California Ballroom With special guest speakers Rais Bhuiyan, Jennifer Marlowe, and Jose Antonio Vargas 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session #1 Human Rights Panels Workshops Migrant Rights Are Human Rights! Write for Rights! Engaging Your Community in (San Diego 1) Amnesty’s Global Write-A-Thon (Westwood) Ensuring Justice & Accountability for Torture Human Rights, Not Corporate Wrongs: It’S HELL (San Diego 2) in the Niger Delta (Hollywood) Social Media, Technology, and #HumanRights Engaging Abolition Events: Furman v. Georgia (Los Angeles) 40 Years Later (La Jolla) Campaigning During the “Fog of War” (Malibu)

AIUSA and Human Rights 101 (California Ballroom) Take It To The Hill! Lobbying for Human Rights (Comfort Restaurant) Progr a m //

12:15 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch Break California Ballroom Boxed lunches will be provided 12:45 – 2:15 p.m. AIUSA Afternoon Caucuses New to Amnesty? (San Diego 1) Students (California Ballroom) Local Groups (San Diego 2) YPAI (Hollywood) Human Rights Educators and Faculty Advisors (Westwood) 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Break 02 Amnesty International USA’s 2011 Western Regional Conference

S ATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011 (cont’d) 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Session #2 Human Rights Panels Workshops Abolishing the Death Penalty in the US, State An Education in Repression: Defending by State (San Diego 1) Student Activists at Risk in Iran (Westwood) Uprising! Freedom, Democracy, and Human What’s going on with Guantanamo?! Rights in the Middle East & North Africa (Hollywood) (San Diego 2) Human Needs Are Human Rights (Los Angeles) Human Rights Don’t Stop at the Border: Immigration 101 (La Jolla) Amnesty International Around the World (Malibu) Your Amnesty Year: Organizing Effectively with AIUSA (California Ballroom) HOW-TO: Organizing a FABULOUS Amnesty USA Event in Your Community (Comfort Restaurant)

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Break 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. Keynote Address by Ms. Shadi Sadr California Ballroom 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Resolutions Working Parties San Diego 1 & 2 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. Education Under Fire: Film Screening with Rainn Wilson California Ballroom Doors Open at 10:00 p.m. Dance Party! California Ballroom

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Registration Progr a m // 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Resolutions Voting Plenary California Ballroom 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break 10:15 – 12:00 p.m. One Movement, One World: Closing Plenary California Ballroom With Palden Gyatso, Cipriana Jurado, and Sara Shourd 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch On Your Own & Informal Networking 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. We Can LIVE Without the Death Penalty: SAFE California Campaign Training California Ballroom 03 Welcome to the 2011 Western Regional Conference!

Over 600 of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) members, activists, allies, and supporters from the thirteen Western states are expected to converge in Los Angeles for this year’s regional human rights conference. This year’s theme, Human Rights For All: One Movement, One World, celebrates the momentous human rights victories and struggles of the past year and spotlights the growing grassroots movement to fight human rights abuses around the world.

From Tahrir Square in Cairo to Liberty Square in Manhattan, popular uprisings are sweeping across the globe and demonstrat- ing the power of people to bring about social change. Calls for freedom, democracy, and human rights continue to reverberate across the Middle East and North Africa as grassroots movements have toppled dictators in Tunisia and Egypt and challenged the status quo. This past spring, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets in Madison, Wisconsin; Co- lumbus, Ohio; and Lansing, Michigan to protest attacks against working-class people. More recently, inspired by the historic uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrations have taken place in over 70 cities and 600 communities in the US to call attention to the widening gulf of inequalities that is dividing this country.

This past year, we have been fortunate to bear witness to this global groundswell of grassroots activism. Sadly, we have also witnessed the unthinkable. On September 21, the state of Georgia executed Troy Anthony Davis. He was 42 years old. More than one million people signed petitions urging clemency for Troy Davis, and tens of thousands of people around the world organized protests to stop the execution. In the end, it was not enough to prevent a grotesque miscarriage of justice and to stop Georgia’s unrelenting machinery of death. The day before his scheduled execution, Troy Davis shared the following statement with his supporters:

The struggle for justice doesn’t end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came be- fore me and all the ones who will come after me. I’m in good spirits and I’m prayerful and at peace. But I will not stop fighting until I’ve taken my last breath. Georgia is prepared to stuff out the life of an innocent man.

We must not forget Troy. And we must continue to fight for all the Troy Davises – just as Troy wanted. Let us honor the power- ful legacy left by Troy Davis by abolishing the death penalty, state by state. Let us draw inspiration and hope from Troy Davis, his remarkable family, and millions of supporters to fight human rights abuses and injustice wherever we can.

Together, we must continue our work on behalf of those who have been imprisoned wrongfully, who have been sentenced to death, who have been tortured, or whose rights have been violated simply because they are poor or an immigrant. Together,

We lc ome // we can build towards a world in which every person enjoys universal human rights. Rini Chakraborty AIUSA Western Regional Director

REGISTRATION & MEMBER SERVICES

Friday, November 4, 2011 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, November 5, 2011 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday, November 6, 2011 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

The Registration and Member Services Table is located in the California lobby. Please visit the registration table upon your arrival to check-in and pick up your Western Regional Conference registration packet with detailed program information. Those who have not pre-registered for the conference can register on-site in the lobby. 04 WELCOME TO AIUSA! / Fri, Nov 4 / 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Welcome to AIUSA! The Board, Resolutions, and How Your Voice & Vote Matter We lc ome to A IUS A! / B est of t h e West // California Ballroom

Amnesty International USA is a global grassroots movement led by members and activists like you. Come to this interactive session to: meet the West’s Board members and National Resolutions Committee representative; learn more about AIUSA’s governance and democratic structure; and find out how you can get involved, sponsor a resolution, or even run for the national Board!

Presenters: Sarah Aird, AIUSA National Board Member Jan Black, AIUSA National Board Member Stephanie McKinney, AIUSA National Resolutions Committee Representative

THE BEST OF THE WEST / Fri, Nov 4 / 7:00 – 9:00 PM

The Best of the West: Opening Night at the 2011 Western Regional Conference California Ballroom

Join hundreds of fellow Amnesty International members, supporters, and human rights activists from across the thirteen Western states as we kick-off the 2011 Western Regional Conference! Celebrate this year’s winners of Amnesty West’s Activist Awards, and start the conference with ximenamusic.com what we do best: ACTIONS! Put your voices and texting thumbs to work, as we take action on various campaigns and priority areas, including actions to abolish the death penalty, end torture and arbitrary detention, and promote the rights of immigrants. With special guest Ximena Sariñana, a Mexican singer and actress who will inspire us with her voice and song.

Ximena Sariñana was born in Guadalajara, Mexico on October 29, 1985. She rose to stardom in Mexico as a young actress starring in numerous telenovelas. At seventeen, she composed three songs for the soundtrack of the Mexican movie Amar te duele where she also played the part of Mariana. Ximena later acted in the movie Dos Abrazos which won Sariñana an award for Best Female Actress at the 38th Diosas de Plata of Pecime awards. In 2008, Ximena released her first album, Mediocre. Rolling Stone gave it four stars and praised it as “one of the strongest debuts from a female singer-songwriter since Norah Jones’ ‘Come Away with Me’.” On March 28, 2008, Mediocre was certified gold for selling more than 50,000 copies. Along with Jason Mraz, she released a Spanish version of Mraz's song "Lucky" which was released to MTV June 2009. Ximena released her self-titled second album in 2011. 05 OPENING PLENARY / Sat, Nov 5 / 9:00 – 10:30 AM

Human Rights for All: Opening Plenary California Ballroom

Welcome by Rini Chakraborty, AIUSA’s Western Regional Director. With special guest speakers Rais Bhuiyan, Jennifer Marlowe, and Jose Antonio Vargas.

Rais Bhuiyan has a remarkable story. It is so remarkable that people from all over the world have interviewed him as the founder of a campaign called World Without Hate.

It took root in Bangladesh and grew from seeds planted by his parents and strong Islamic beliefs in forgiveness. Following a life-altering incident of being shot by a white supremacist after the events of 9/11, Rais began his work to build a better world. The man who shot Rais was sentenced to death for killing two others. Rais worked tirelessly to save his shooter’s life with pleas for clemency that reached the Supreme Court. Rais developed a website - www.worldwithouthate.org – and got thousands of hits a day in support of his goal of forgiveness. Rais continues his work around the world and within his community. Reporters from America, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil captured Rais’ vision of a world responding with compassion and healing, instead of anger and hate. Rais delivers his message to members of the European

Op e n i g P l na ry // Union, German Parliament, Amnesty International, CAIR, as well as university audiences, schools, churches, and human justice groups. , Esquire, and D Magazine have featured Rais as the hero feature story in their publications.

He has received recognition and awards from CAIR Texas; United for Change; and Raelian Movement. In a world which has lost its path, Rais’ voice leads us away from violence towards the best in humanity.

Jennifer Marlowe is an author/filmmaker/playwright and human rights advocate. Her books include The Hour of Sunlight: One Palestinian’s Journey from Prisoner to Peacemaker, and Darfur Diaries: Stories of Survival. Her films include One Family in Gaza, Rebuilding Hope: Sudan’s Lost Boys Return Home, and Darfur Diaries: Message from Home. Jen is currently writing a book about Troy Davis, who was recently executed by the state of Georgia despite a strong innocence case. For more information about Jen’s work, visit www.donkeysaddle.org.

06 Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) is an award-winning multimedia journalist. Most recently, he was a senior contributing editor at The Huffington Post, where he launched the Technology and College sections. Prior to that, he covered video game and tech culture, HIV/AIDS, and the 2008 presidential campaign for , and won a Pulitzer Prize as a part of a team that covered the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech. His articles on the AIDS epidemic in the nation's capital inspired a feature- length documentary, "The Other City," which he co-produced and wrote. It world premiered at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival and aired on Showtime. An early chronicler of the social media revolution -- which he's referred to as the "me-in-media" -- he wrote an intimate profile of Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg for The New Yorker. News media's evolution, and the breakdown of barriers between print and broadcast journalism, has guided his nearly 13-year reporting career. He co-edited his high school newspaper, The Oracle, while working as an intern for his hometown

weekly paper, The Mountain View Voice. He's written for daily newspapers Op e n i g P l na ry // (Philadelphia Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle) and national magazines (Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, New York) and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, , ABC News, and the PBS NewsHour. On HuffPost, he created the Technology as Anthropology, which focuses on tech's impact on people and how we behave. He taught a class called Storytelling 2.0 at Georgetown University, and serves on the advisory board for the Knight-Batten Award for Innovations in Journalism, housed at American University.

BECOME A MEMBER OF AIUSA!

Become a member of Amnesty International USA, renew your membership, or find out if you are eligible to vote at the Resolutions Voting Plenary.

Join more than 3 million people around the world in fighting to free prisoners of conscience, abolish the death penalty, end torture, and ensure that every person enjoys full the spectrum of human rights.

For more information or to join, visit the Member Services Table located in the California Lobby.

07 SESSION 1 / Sat, Nov 5 / 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Migrant Rights Are Human Rights! Presenters: San Diego 1 Neidi Y. Dominguez, In virtually every corner of the world, migrants face significant Dream Team Los Angeles. violations of their human rights – from racial profiling and dis- crimination; to arbitrary detention, expulsion, and the denial of Marielena Hincapie, due process. In the US, immigrant communities are increas- Executive Director of the National Immigration Law Center. ingly under siege and under attack. A number of states have enacted harsh anti-immigrant policies, such as Arizona’s SB Colin Rajah, 1070 and Alabama’s HB 56. Aggressive immigration enforce- International Migrant Rights & Global Justice Program sessio n 1: Hum an R ig h ts P ment tactics, including Secure Communities, have led to a re- Director with the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee cord number of deportations under the Obama Administration. Rights. On this panel, leading immigrant rights experts and advocates will provide an overview of efforts to enforce international hu- man rights standards, discuss immigration enforcement pro- grams at the federal and state levels, and share strategies for how you can get involved in the immigrant rights movement.

Ensuring Justice & Accountability for Torture Presenters: San Diego 2 Matthew Alexander, The US and 145 countries have ratified the Convention Against former senior military interrogator, four-time combat veteran Torture (CAT) and affirmed the universal goal of ending the use of three wars, and author of the acclaimed How to Break a of torture around the world. Despite widespread condemnation Terrorist. of torture, however, politicians and pundits continue to debate whether torture is an effective tool. This panel will highlight Paul Hoffman, how torture is ineffective and unacceptable under any condi- civil and human rights attorney who has litigated landmark tions, and how individuals and governments can be brought to international human rights cases in US courts, such as Doe v. justice for sanctioning torture. Unocal and Wiwa v. Shell cases. Julie B. Gutman, Executive Director of the Program for Torture Victims.

Social Media, Technology, and #HumanRights Presenters: Los Angeles Xeni Jardin, Over the past decade, social networking platforms, new media tools, and a plethora of other digital resources have empow- Blogger with BoingBoing.net, Digital Media Commentator, and ered activists all around the world to broadcast their struggles Tech Culture Journalist. to a global audience hungry to hear activists’ stories. The con- an e l s // Rep. Raymond Palatino, fluence of grassroots activism, non-violent direct action, and Member of the Philippine House of Representatives, Activist, the strategic use of social media has redefined the political and Blogger. landscape. Activists have successfully leveraged tools like SMS, , and to not only amplify their message but also to create online communities that can be engaged and mobilized in solidarity with on-the-street protesters. Technolo- gy has broadened the reach and scope of activists everywhere – from Manila, Philippines to Tehran, Iran. The era of one way communication is over. The power to galvanize, educate and organize is now literally in the hands of the people. 08 Write for Rights! Engaging Your Community Campaigning During the “Fog of War” in Amnesty’s Global Write-A-Thon Malibu Westwood Amnesty International’s Crisis Response work normally kicks in during From South korea to South Dakota, from Portugal to Peru, and from armed conflict situations and in response to violations of International Canada to Croatia, Amnesty International activists around the world join Humanitarian Law (IHL). Activists involved in crisis response work are forces to Write for Rights during the Global Write-a-thon in early De- normally confronted with highly complex and volatile situations, while cember. Last year’s Write-a-thon resulted in more than 600,000 actions operating in an environment of high media attention and widespread taken on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, and misinformation as a consequence of the “Fog of War.” The workshop others at risk of human rights abuses. A celebration of International Hu- will train activists in the principles of International Humanitarian Law man Rights Day on December 10, the Write-a-thon is a fantastic oppor- (IHL), allowing them to become strong campaigners and spokespeople tunity to engage people in your school or local community in easy-to-do for stopping human rights violations committed in the context of activism that has an impact. When political activist (and Write-a-thon armed conflicts. During hands-on exercises, specific incidents of IHL case) Femi Peters was released from prison in Gambia last December, violations will be examined, taken from real life conflicts such as Darfur, his son thanked Amnesty, saying: “I wanted a laptop for Christmas, but Gaza, Sri Lanka or Libya. Additionally, the connection to International I got my father back – the biggest Christmas present ever.” Join us Justice, one of Amnesty International’s key priorities, will be explored. in this interactive session where we’ll provide the tools you’ll need to Presenters: build a Write for Rights event in your community that will attract new Christoph Koettl, AIUSA Crisis Prevention and Response Campaigner and audiences to AI’s human rights work. Your ideas and creativity will help Science for Human Rights Project Manager make this Write-a-thon in AI’s 50th anniversary year our best ever! Mahsa Maleki, AIUSA Syria Couvntry Specialist Presenters: Brent Fulton, AIUSA Western Regional Write-a-Thon Working Group Coordinator AIUSA and Human Rights 101 Ilona Kelly, AIUSA Individuals at Risk Campaigner California Ballroom New to Amnesty? New to human rights work? Amnesty is cel- Human Rights, Not Corporate Wrongs: It'S HELL ebrating our 50th year, and that means there is a lot to know

in the Niger Delta about the organization and the human rights movement glob- S essio n 1: Works h o p s // Hollywood ally. This workshop will introduce newer human rights activists Oil spills, waste dumping, and gas flaring are everywhere in Nigeria’s to the history and goals of Amnesty International, connect AI to oil-producing Niger Delta region. The pollution that results damages the the broader human rights movement, and outline different ways to soil, air, and water, gravely impacting the rights to health, food, water, get involved on campus, in your community, and around the country. and livelihood for hundreds of thousands of Nigerians. The failure of Presenters: Shell and other oil companies to deal with these problems swiftly and the Jordan Palmer, AIUSA Washington Student Activist Coordinator (SAC) lack of effective cleanup have caused a human rights and environmental Sara Schmidt, AIUSA Regional Field Organizer disaster. The Nigerian government has a duty to protect all Nigerians Take It To The Hill! Lobbying for Human Rights from the impact of pollution. They must hold the oil companies to ac- Comfort Restaurant count for the ugly ecological and human rights mess their industry has Federal legislative advocacy is one of the key tactics Amnesty In- caused. The Niger Delta is a priority case for Amnesty International as a ternational USA uses to advance its human rights agenda and in- global movement in our 50th anniversary year. Learn what you can do fluence policy change. You’ll learn tried and true lobbying skills to push Shell and other multinationals to commit to cleanup of the Niger which will prepare you to organize and conduct effective lobby visits Delta, and the Nigerian government to effectively regulate the oil industry. with your elected officials on Amnesty International’s core issues. Presenters: Presenter: Tanuka Loha, AIUSA Demand Dignity Campaign Director William Butkus, AIUSA Regional Field Organizer Additional speaker TBA. Engaging Abolition Events: Furman v. Georgia 40 Years Later La Jolla NEW TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL? In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was uncon- Need help figuring out how to choose stitutional, being practiced in an "arbitrary and capricious" way. Forty years later, it is equally - if not more - unjust. Come and learn about workshops? this landmark case and the modern history of the death penalty. We will also share practical tips on how to organize powerful events to ef- Visit the Registration Table to talk to staff and fectively engage and educate your community about the death penalty. volunteers who can help you navigate the conference Learn about speakers, videos, literature, and other resources you can and make sure you get the most out of your access to put on a significant event around Death Penalty Action Weeks conference experience! (February 27-March 11, 2011) to commemorate the Furman decision. Presenters: Brian Evans, AIUSA Death Penalty Abolition Campaigner Jessica Farley, AIUSA State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator for California 09 SESSION 2 / Sat, Nov 5 / 2:30 – 4:00 PM

Abolishing the Death Penalty in the US, State by State Presenters: San Diego 1 Mona Cadena, The momentum to abolish the death penalty in the United States State Campaign Organizer with Equal Justice USA. is growing, with New Mexico and Illinois becoming the 15th and 16th states to end capital punishment. Find out about up- Francisco (Franky) Carrillo Jr., coming efforts to abolish the death penalty – through the leg- wrongfully incarcerated for 20 years and exonerated earlier this year. islature and the ballot box – in Colorado and California. Let’s Natasha Minsker, make 2012 the year we end the death penalty once and for all!

S essio n 2: Hum an R ig h ts P Campaign Manager for SAFE CA Campaign.

Uprising! Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights in the Middle East & North Africa Presenters: San Diego 2 Alireza Azizi, This past year, the global community has witnessed historical AIUSA Yemen Country Specialist. changes in countries throughout the Middle East and North Af- rica as hundreds of thousands of peaceful protesters took to Ahmed Benchemsi, the streets to demand basic human rights, dignity, and full civic Moroccan Journalist, Founder of TelQuel and Nishan Magazine, participation. Often we witnessed these protests being led by and visiting scholar at Stanford University. young people, who combined nonviolent direct action with on- line social media. Repressive governments across the region

Susan Slyomovics, continue to be under pressure and face growing demands for Professor of Anthropology and Near Eastern Studies at political, economic, and social reform. Learn more about the University of California at Los Angeles. current situation in the region, and find out how you can get in- volved to support sustainable human rights reforms in countries throughout this region.

Human Needs Are Human Rights: The Demand Dignity Campaign Presenters: Los Angeles Tarah Demant, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees not Co-Chair of AIUSA Women’s Human Rights Coordination only civil and political rights like freedom of expression and Group. the right to a fair trial, but also economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) like access to health care, adequate housing, and Paulina Gonzalez, a healthy environment. Amnesty International USA’s Demand Executive Director of Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE). Dignity Campaign works to advance ESCR, especially for people living in poverty. We campaign to advance the full spectrum of an e l s // Tanuka Loha, rights for every person and to end corporate abuse. Come learn AIUSA Demand Dignity Campaign Director. how economic human rights leaders in the US and around the Ethel Long-Scott, world have empowered communities to take action and make Executive Director of Women's Economic Agenda Project (WEAP). the promise of economic, cultural, and social rights a reality.

10 An Education in Repression: Defending Amnesty International Around the World Student Activists at Risk in Iran Malibu Westwood What is the movement up to? What do AI USA, AI UK, AI Japan, and AI As the new academic year begins, many students languish in jail in Germany have to do with one another? What is the International Coun- Iran. Student activists Majid Tavakkoli and Bahareh Hedayat face years cil Meeting (ICM) and what is that meeting’s purpose? This year Amnesty in prison for advocating greater freedom in Iran. They have refused to International sections, among others, met in the Netherlands to discuss be intimidated despite long prison sentences. After they authored a the future of the movement. Join us in this session to learn what was dis- joint letter from prison that encouraged activists to continue working cussed, decisions that were made, and what the impacts are for AIUSA. for human rights in Iran, authorities extended their prison sentences. Presenter: Yet the words of their letter continue to inspire activists both in Iran and Carole Nagengast, Chair of the AIUSA Board of Directors worldwide. A simple act like a letter may seem insufficient in the face Your Amnesty Year: Organizing Effectively of the harsh repression of students and human rights activists in Iran, with AIUSA but big changes often start with small actions. During this interactive California Ballroom workshop, we will explore how small and seemingly simple acts can Amnesty International provides you with unlimited ways to take action cause unpredictable chain reactions and create change. We’ll garner for human rights. But how do you balance it all? This workshop will walk practical how-to campaign skills and pursue creative campaigning you through a year of activism and help develop a plan to help your group techniques that can increase the impact of your own human rights take effective, creative, and strategic action while balancing demands on activism. You’ll leave this workshop ready to harness your power for time, resources, and energy. Topics will include: basics of organizing; types change to support Majid, Bahareh, and all student activists in Iran. of actions your group can and should take; resources available to you; Presenters: and tools for planning strategically as an Amnesty International activist. Adrian Groenendyk, AIUSA Western Region Special Focus Case Coordinator Presenters: Ilona Kelly, AIUSA Individuals at Risk Campaigner Alanna Offield, AIUSA New Mexico Student Activist Coordinator What’s going on with Guantanamo?! Sara Schmidt, AIUSA Regional Field Organizer

Hollywood HOW-TO: Organizing a FABULOUS Amnesty USA S essio n 2: Why is Guantanamo still open? Didn’t President Obama promise to close Event in Your Community it? Is Congress really trying to keep it open? Keeping up to date on Guan- Comfort Restaurant tanamo is tough. In this workshop you’ll get a clear idea of what’s going Does organizing a public event give you stress dreams? Are you on at Guantanamo and what you can do to help close it. You’ll hear about looking for new and innovative ideas to incorporate into events the case of Shaker Aamer, a former UK resident held without charge you organize? This HOW-TO will cover the basics of organizing an for nearly 10 years, despite the UK government’s request for his return. event, from how to integrate campaign actions into your event and We’ll also talk about what’s going on with torture, Islamophobia and create a timeline; to identifying outcomes and, of course, figur- the rarely-talked-about US detention facility at Bagram in Afghanistan, ing out the best way to use glitter. This workshop will be 40% lec- where even more people are held, and with fewer rights than at Guanta- ture and 60% peer-to-peer brainstorming and interactive exercises. namo. You’ll learn Amnesty International’s positions on these topics, the Presenter: basics of international law, and tips for how to talk—and Tweet, Face- Kalaya’an Mendoza, AIUSA Regional Field Organizer book, and blog—about these often-contentious issues with other peo- ple, so that you can help win them over to our human rights movement. Presenter: Carrie Neff, AIUSA Human Rights Campaigner w orks h o p s // IDEAS FAIR AND MERCHANDISE Human Rights Don’t Stop at the Border: Immigration 101 The Ideas Fair is a forum to learn about and take action La Jolla on current AIUSA campaign priorities and a space for Are you concerned about the human rights abuses of immigrants in your AIUSA student and local groups to creatively display state? Are you unclear about the laws and programs and where there might be human rights abuses implicated? This workshop provides a their ideas and accomplishments. Visit the Ideas space for you to learn about current enforcement programs and laws and Fair to get creative ideas for your group and to learn how you can play a role as a human rights activist to defend the rights of more about events and actions taking place across immigrants. We will cover some of the anti-immigrant laws in states in the the entire Western Region! You will also find the West, DHS programs like “Secure Communities,” and border issues. We Merchandise Table in the California Foyer, where you will also give a brief update on national issues and campaigns, including can purchase fairly traded, ethical, and sweatshop- the DREAM Act. The workshop will conclude with brainstorming on what you can do in your local area and state to defend the rights of immigrants. free products. Presenters: Amalia Greenberg Delgado, AIUSA Regional Immigrants’ Rights Coordinator Melissa Keaney, National Immigration Law Center Public Interest Fellow

11 AIUSA AFTERNOON CAUCUSES / Sat, Nov 5 / 12:45 – 2:15 PM

Caucuses are member- and staff-led breakout sessions with leaders and activists from Local Groups, Student Groups, and other constituencies within AIUSA. They provide an opportunity to share best practices, explore new ideas and tools for activism, and connect people from across the region. Please select the caucus that best describes you!

Local Groups San Diego 2 For those actively involved in an AIUSA Local Group or those wanting to join or start a Local Group in their community. Moderators & Participants: Carrol Pearson, AIUSA New Mexico Area Coordinator and Coordinator of Local Group 463 Local Group Coordinators from around the region

College Students California Ballroom For those actively involved in a college-level AIUSA Student Group or those wanting to join or start a Student Group A IUS After n oo C a u c uses // at their college or university. Moderators & Participants: Stacy Suh, AIUSA National Youth Action Committee and Northern California Student Activist Coordinator Milagros Villalobos, AIUSA Southern California Student Activist Coordinator Student Group Coordinators from around the region

High School Students California Ballroom For those actively involved in a high school-level AIUSA Student Group or those wanting to join or start a Student Group at their high school. Moderators & Participants: Alanna Offield, AIUSA New Mexico Student Activist Coordinator Jordan Palmer, AIUSA Washington Student Activist Coordinator Student Group Coordinators from around the region

YPAI: Young Professionals Amnesty International Hollywood For those who have graduated university or are entering the working world and would like to continue their human rights activism through dynamic actions and events with like-minded young professionals. Moderators & Participants: Stephanie Cordel, YPAI: LA Patricia Dungo, YPAI: LA

Human Rights Educators and Faculty Advisors Westwood For those working with and supporting students and young people through activism and education.

New to Amnesty! San Diego 1 For those who don’t have an Amnesty group but would like to get involved as individuals and in their community. Moderator: Kalaya’an Mendoza, AIUSA Regional Field Organizer

12 KEYNOTE ADDRESS / Sat, Nov 5 / 4:15 – 5:30 PM

Keynote Address by Ms. Shadi Sadr California Ballroom Shadi Sadr is an Iranian lawyer, human rights defender, and journalist who has risked her life in her efforts to protect the human rights of women activists and journalists. She has been arrested, beaten, and imprisoned in Iran. In July of 2009, she was arrested once again and then released, which allowed her to escape to Europe. On May 17, 2010, Ms. Sadr was convicted in absentia in a Tehran court of “acting against national security and harming public order” and was sentenced to six years in prison with 74 lashes. Shadi Sadr is the founder and director of Raahi, a legal centre for women. Raahi was closed down by the Iranian authorities in 2007 in a wave of repression against civil society. Ms. Sadr has touched the lives of hundreds of individuals through her work and her support for campaigns such as the Stop Stoning Forever Campaign. She has received several awards such as Ida B Wells award for bravery in journalism, Alexander Prize of Law School of Santa Clara University, and the Women of Courage Award of the US State Department. In July of 2010, Shadi Sadr established a new organization, Justice for Iran, which promotes and defends women’s rights in the increasingly discriminatory and fundamentalist environment in Iran and addresses the issue of impunity for sexual violence against women by the Iranian regime. Justice for Iran raises public awareness and demands accountability for women’s rights K ey n ote Address // violations committed by the Iranian government via political pressure and international accountability mechanisms.

FIND YOUR FIELD ORGANIZER

Field Organizers are your key to all the resources Amnesty International has to offer, including the Volunteer Leaders in your state! Find your Field Organizer while you’re at the conference to make sure you are well-prepared for human rights activism when you head back home.

If you live in...

Alaska, Hawai’i, Montana, Northern California, or Nevada, contact Will Butkus. Colorado, Idaho, Southern California, or Wyoming, contact Kalaya’an Mendoza. Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, or Washington, contact Sara Schmidt.

13 FILM SCREENING / Sat, Nov 5 / 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Education Under Fire: Film Screening with Rainn Wilson

California Ballroom Co-sponsored by Amnesty International, the documentary Education Under Fire focuses on the Islamic Republic of Iran's three decade long policy of denying the members of its Baha´i community the right to attend any institution of higher education. In May of 2011, the government launched a coordinated attack against the Baha´i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), raiding dozens of homes, confiscating computers and materials, and detaining a number of that institution’s professors and administrators – some of whom continue to languish in prison without formal charges. The film profiles the growth, struggle, and inspiring spirit of the Baha´i Institute for Higher Education. Baha´is in Iran have been subjected to systematic persecution, including arrests, torture, and execution simply for refusing to recant their beliefs. They are also prohibited from going to college (and blocked from many professions). In the documentary, BIHE graduate Shahrzad Missaghi expresses a shared resolve: "The government can crush our bodies, but they cannot crush the mind and soul." Mojdeh Rohani, a BIHE graduate whose father was executed in 1981, says "We can use this experience to not only just think about ourselves and what is important to us, but to look at the bigger picture; to think of people of this world as they were our own family." That is the larger, universal message of this film.

Rainn Wilson can currently be seen on NBC in the seventh season of the Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award winning series for “Best Comedy,” The Office, alongside Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fisher. Over the years, he has endeared himself to millions and earned two Emmy nominations with his portrayal of ‘Dwight Schrute,’ an eccentric paper salesman whose ego knows no bounds, dreams of being “#2,” and F i l m Sc ree n g // fervently torments his colleagues in his own lovable, pathetic fashion.

Last summer, Wilson turned in a humorous cameo in the summer blockbuster TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN. Working through his short summer hiatus from The Office, Wilson completed production on three independent features for 2011: PEEP WORLD with Michael C. Hall and Sarah Silverman which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival and was purchased by IFC Films; HESHER with Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; and SUPER (which he also co-executive produced) directed by James Gunn alongside Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, and Kevin Bacon which IFC Films also purchased and is schedule for an April 2011 release.

Wilson was also heard as the voice of the lone alien, ‘Gallaxhar,’ trying to take over the planet in the Dreamworks’ 2009 animated feature MONSTERS VS. ALIENS. In the summer of 2008, he starred in THE ROCKER for 20th Century Fox. Prior to his fame from The Office, Wilson was best known for his role as ‘Arthur Martin,’ the pitiable mortician’s apprentice on the HBO’s Emmy Award winning television series Six Feet Under. Wilson also received his first Writers Guild Award for his turn as host of the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards.

14 RESOLUTIONS VOTING PLENARY / Sun, Nov 6 / 8:00 – 10:00 AM

RESOLUTIONS VOTING PLENARY California Ballroom Amnesty International is a grassroots organization. Any individual member or group of members has an opportunity to impact the mission, method, policy, organization, or allocation of resources. Resolutions are a means by which members can influence policy on a regional, national, or international level. The purpose of a resolution is to direct a change in policy, in the method for instituting policy, or in Amnesty International’s organizational structure. A resolution can be as simple as asking for clarification of current procedures, or as complex as requesting a change in AI’s mission.

At the AIUSA Regional Conferences, resolutions may be voted on by individual voting members who have paid dues to AIUSA or submitted a valid dues waiver; and by one designated delegate from each AIUSA Student or Local Group.

Votes will be taken by Voting Card during the Resolutions Voting Plenary on Sunday in the California Ballroom. To verify eligibility, come by the Member Services Table located in the lobby. Those eligible to receive a voting card are: • Individual Voters: a current, dues-paying or dues-waived, national member of AIUSA. • Group Voters: Designate a group representative (one vote per AIUSA School or Local Group) and submit a Group Voting Authorization Form, signed by the group coordinator, to the personnel distributing Voting Cards at the Member Services Table. Moderator: Stephanie McKinney, AIUSA National Resolutions Committee Western Representative

2012 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: March 30 – April 1, 2012

Please join us in Denver, Colorado to celebrate half a century of Amnesty International’s work defending human rights around the world. Be part of the largest national V oti n g P l e na ry // human rights conference next year! For more information, visit www.aiusa.org/agm.

CONNECT WITH AMNESTY WEST’S ONLINE COMMUNITY

Are you friends with Amnesty West on Facebook? Are you following us on Twitter @AmnestyWest? Do you receive weekly online updates with important announcements and urgent calls for action? Connect with Amnesty West online today!

15 CLOSING PLENARY / Sun, Nov 6 / 10:15 AM – 12:00 PM

One Movement, One World: Closing Plenary California Ballroom

Born in 1933 and a fully ordained Buddhist monk, Palden Gyatso was first arrested after the 1959 Tibetan uprising, and was brutally tortured during 33 years of imprisonment. He was arrested for taking part in the uprising by refusing to accuse other Tibetans of spying against the Chinese state. He escaped imprisonment during this time but was re- captured and severely tortured. Despite this torture, he remained steadfast in following his Buddhist teachings, and was finally released in 1992.

Following his release, he escaped into exile, and now lives in Dharamsala, India. Since moving into exile, fireunderthesnow.com Palden has become politically active by travelling to Europe, America, and around the world, recounting his experiences and urging action to end the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He has spoken to politicians and Tibet supporters and addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council. He has written an autobiography, Fire Under the Snow, which recounts his experiences of torture in Chinese jails and which has now been made into a documentary film.

C l osi n g P e na ry // Cipriana Jurado has been an activist in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, for over twenty years, since she arrived in the city at age 14 to work in the maquiladoras to help support her family. It was then that she first began to fight on behalf of her fellow workers. In the late 1980s she co-founded Centro de Investigaciones y Solidaridad Obrera (Center for Investigation and Worker Solidarity), and became its director in 1990. Much of her work has centered on complaints, victimization, kidnappings, and disappearances related to the militarization of northern Mexico and the abuses carried out by the Mexican military. In 2008, after she had publicly opposed the militarization, Jurado was arrested by officers without a search warrant. Thanks to the efforts of Mexican congressman Victor Quintana and human rights organizations in Ciudad Juarez, she was released the next day. She continued to be harassed by the military even as good friends and human rights colleagues were brutally murdered. In 2010, fearing for her life, she left Mexico with her two children and went to Chicago under the protection of the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America. On July 11, 2011, she was granted political asylum in the United States. She is now working to better the conditions in Juarez from Houston and other US cities. crin.org/Cipriana

16 Sarah Shourd is a teacher-writer-activist from Oakland, California. She was captured by Iranian forces in July of 2009, along with her fiance Shane Bauer and their friend Josh Fattal, while hiking behind a tourist site in Iraqi Kurdistan somewhere near an unmarked border with Iran. Sarah was freed in September of 2009 after being held hostage for 14 months in solitary confinement without any due process or legal representation at Evin prison in Tehran. Sarah is a peace and international solidarity activist who has taught Iraqi refugees in Damascus, organized with Direct Action to Stop the Wars, worked with the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, and organized against femicide in Juarez, Mexico. She has written for CNN.com, New York Times Blog, Brave New Traveler, Matador, New American Media and more. She spent the first year of her freedom campaigning with Free the Hikers for Shane and Josh, who were finally released on September 21, 2011.

freethehikers.org

Save the Date. Save a Life. C l osi n g P e na ry // December 3-11, 2011

Your words can save lives. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people across the world mark International Human Rights Day on December 10 by taking part in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon - the world’s largest letter writing event. Register for the Global Write-a-thon at www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon.

17 SAFE CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN TRAINING / Sun, Nov 6 / 1:00 – 3:00 PM

We Can LIVE Without the Death Penalty: SAFE California Campaign Training for California Abolitionists California Ballroom ** ATTENTION DEATH PENALTY ABOLITIONISTS IN CALIFORNIA **

We’re gearing up to abolish the death penalty in California – the state with the largest death row in the country – and we want YOU! We’re looking for activists, volunteers, and leaders who will help us gather signatures to place the SAFE California Act on the November 2012 ballot.

S A FE CAL IF California’s multimillion-dollar death penalty system is badly broken. It runs the risk of executing innocent people, fails to improve public safety, and wastes millions of taxpayer dollars. The SAFE California Act would replace California’s death penalty with life in prison without parole; provide work and restitution to victims through a victim compensation fund; and set up the SAFE California Fund to set aside $30 million dollars every year, for three years, for local law enforcement. The campaign is supported by a broad- based coalition of law enforcement leaders, murder victim family members, individuals exonerated from wrongful convictions, and more.

Join us for this historic abolition campaign! The SAFE California training is designed to empower activists and volunteer leaders like you with the tools you need to gather signatures and help us win! The training will feature a campaign insider who will share updates from the campaign, train you, and send you on your way to signature gathering success. TR A I N G / S t Learn more about the campaign: www.taxpayersforjustice.org.

Staff Bios

Rini Chakraborty is the Western Regional Director for Amnesty International USA. She brings to the organization more than 18 years experience as a leader in achieving landmark victories protecting and promoting the rights of immigrants, low-wage workers, and the poor. Prior to joining Amnesty International, Rini was the Executive Director of Sweatshop Watch, a US-based organization a ff B ios // at the forefront of eliminating sweatshops in the global apparel industry. Previously, she served as the director and principal legislative advocate of the California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative (a project of the National Immigration Law Center); senior policy analyst with the ACLU of Southern California; policy associate with the Northern California Coalition for Immigrant Rights; and ballot initiatives coordinator with the ACLU of Northern California.

An expert in policy advocacy, grassroots campaigning, media, and coalition building, Rini has spearheaded a number of highly visible, groundbreaking campaigns in California, from restoring health and welfare benefits for immigrants and gaining in-state tuition rates for students regardless of their immigration status (AB 540); to passing resolutions condemning the USA PATRIOT Act and post-9.11 policies and vigorously enforcing “sweat-free” procurement laws. She currently serves on the board of directors for Health Access, International Labor Rights Forum, and SweatFree Communities. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley. 18 Staff Bios (cont’d)

Rocio Avalos is the Office Administrator with Amnesty International USA’s Western Regional Office. Prior to joining AIUSA, she worked in fundraising and as an organizer for various political campaigns. She is most proud of being a former Gryffindor Quidditch team captain.

William Butkus is a Field Organizer in Amnesty International USA’s Western Regional Office. He works with Amnesty International members, student groups, and local groups to organize human rights educational events, lobby elected officials, provide activist trainings, and organize advocacy actions in response to human rights abuses. William has 14 years of progressive political organizing and advocacy experience. Prior to Amnesty International, William served as Campaign Manager for Jerry Hill for State Assembly, Program Coordinator for the Alliance for Justice, National Campaign Coordinator at the National Parks Conservation Association, Field Organizer for Al Gore’s Presidential Campaign, and Staff Assistant to Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9). William played college baseball.

Amalia Greenberg Delgado is the Immigrants’ Rights Coordinator with Amnesty International USA’s Western Regional Office. Amalia has worked extensively abroad in Egypt, Turkey, and Ecuador and in the U.S. to provide much needed legal aid and advocacy to migrants and refugees. After graduating from Washington College of Law, Amalia was awarded the Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowship which sponsored her work at the ACLU of Northern California to advocate for improved law enforcement practices in immigrant communities and preserve the rights of people affected by these abuses. She is also a co-founding Board Member of Asylum Access, an organization that works to realize refugee rights in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Native to Venezuela, Amalia considers herself to be a true “arepa ambassador” and will make you some if you ask nicely.

KALAYA’AN MENDOZA is a Field Organizer with Amnesty International USA’s Western Regional Office. He has been an activist, organizer, and mobilizer for various issues ranging from Queer rights to Tibetan independence to anti-racist organizing and beyond. His background in activism includes S t non-violent direct action, grassroots social media strategy, and community organizing. In his free time he raises chickens and prepares for the zombiepocalypse. a ff B ios // Sara Schmidt is a Field Organizer with Amnesty International USA’s Western Regional Office, coordinating and supporting Amnesty’s organizing, campaigning, and leadership development in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. Prior to joining Amnesty International, Sara coordinated an HIV prevention program in Ndola, Zambia and supported the development of sustainable, community-based programs in Kisumu, Kenya. She brings a wealth of experience in campus- and community-based organizing. Sara holds Masters Degrees from the University of Michigan in Social Work and Public Health, with a focus on community organizing, global health, and health and human rights. Sara takes grassroots organizing all the way down to the roots, and successfully cultivates a small farm in foggy San Francisco. She has also perfected the art of homemade butter-making. 19 Thank You!

The 2011 Western Regional Conference would not have been possible without the tireless work, dedication, and enthusiasm of Amnesty International USA volunteer leaders and activists. With your help, the West was able to once again host a dynamic, engaging, and empowering event that will advance human rights across the region.

The Western Regional Office would like to give special thanks to the following individuals:

The 2011 Western Regional Conference Planning Committee (Sarah Aird; Lilit Arabyan; Jan Black; Claire Bowman; Chantal Duquette; Norma Edwards; Jessica Farley; Lucas Kamp; Cecilia Naomi Lipp; Eddie Lopez; Glen Nielsen; Stephanie McKinney; Ellen Moore; Carrol Pearson; Sophia Sasaki; Diana Underhill);

All panelists, presenters, speakers, and workshop facilitators;

All AIUSA Area Coordinators, Student Area Coordinators, group leaders, campaign coordinators, and longtime volunteer leaders;

AIUSA National Staff (Campaigns Unit for workshops; Engagement Media for online publicity; Member Services for registration; and Lesley Edinboro for IT needs);

All community partners and allies; plus

Eliza Wee, designer extraordinaire with Dogmo Studios (dogmo.com).

Thank you for your continued commitment to and support of Amnesty International USA and the Mighty West!

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GUEST Than k you! // COMFORT ROOM LAUNDRY

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FITNESS CENTER

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Rini Chakraborty Western Regional Director AIUSA Rocio Avalos Western Office Administrator Regional William Butkus Office Field Organizer Amalia Greenberg Delgado Immigrants’ Rights Coordinator Kalaya’an Mendoza Field Organizer Sara Schmidt Field Organizer

Amnesty International Western Regional Office 350 Sansome Street, Suite 210 San Francisco, CA 94104 Tel: 415.288.1800 www.amnestyusa.org