1 No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Organize Your Film Screening

Dear%Activist,% This screening guide contains tips and suggestions for planning your No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka screening and discussion, as well as background on the situation in Sri Lanka and a Q&A on the documentary.

Successful film screenings will not only raise awareness about the situation in Sri Lanka but also generate discussion and action about the issues raised in the film. To assist you in organizing an effective screening event, this guide includes:

Background on Sri Lanka ...... page 3 Q&A on No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka...... page 6 Six Steps to Organizing a Successful Film Screening ...... page 7 Event Planning Checklist ...... page 10 Sample Agenda for Your Film Screening Event ...... page 11 Tips for Facilitators ...... page 12 Driving up Attendance for Your Event ...... page 14 Top Five Screening Ideas for Local Groups ...... page 16 Building the Momentum: Follow-up Action--- ...... page 17 Sample Event Flyer ...... page 19 Event Sign-in Sheet ...... page 20

Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with us with any questions, concerns, ideas and suggestions. Good luck organizing your event! We look forward to hearing about your local successes?

In solidarity, The Sri Lanka team at AIUSA

**Please note: some of the scenes in the film are very disturbing. It is NOT for younger viewers.!

Contact Information: Jim McDonald, AIUSA Sri Lanka Country Specialist Email: [email protected] Twitter: @jmccdon Facebook: Jim McDonald Aiusa Srilanka!

2 Background on Sri Lanka

Background

During 1983 - 2009, Sri Lanka was wracked by a civil war between the security forces (who are mostly from the majority Sinhalese community) and the armed Tamil opposition group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who were seeking an independent state for the Tamil minority in the north and east of the island. While human rights abuses were committed by both sides during the long decades of conflict, the final years of the war saw a heightened intensity of fighting, accompanied by soaring human rights abuses: hundreds of enforced disappearances, targeted and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, arbitrary arrests, torture and the use of child soldiers. Some of these abuses may constitute war crimes. An independent international investigation into these reported abuses is needed in order to achieve truth and justice for the victims and their families. On March 27, 2014, the U.N. Human Rights Council finally authorized the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to carry out such an investigation.

In recent years, cases of torture and enforced disappearances have continued to be reported, with no one being held responsible. Outside the war zone, journalists and other media workers have been attacked. At least 14 media workers have been the victims of unlawful killings since the beginning of 2006; one has allegedly disappeared in the custody of the security forces, while others have been tortured and arbitrarily detained. Draconian anti-terrorism laws have been used to silence critical media and generally violate freedom of expression in Sri Lanka, including through detention without charge or trial for periods lasting up to 18 months.

Sri Lanka’s Obligations Under International Law

International humanitarian law applies to internal armed conflicts like the one in Sri Lanka and applies to both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. In particular, Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions (to which Sri Lanka is a party) prohibits the killing of civilians through indiscriminate shelling, deliberate attacks against civilians or civilian objects (such as hospitals and food distribution lines), and the denial of medical care to the sick and wounded. The Sri Lankan government forces are reported to have committed these acts during the final months of the war. Some of the actions of the government forces also violated international human rights law, including alleged enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture of detainees.

International humanitarian law also applies to the LTTE and forbids the taking of hostages (including forcibly using civilians as “human shields”), deliberate killings of civilians fleeing the war zone, locating military objects near densely populated areas, the recruitment of child soldiers and the use of forced labor. The LTTE is reported as having committed these abuses during the final months of the war.

3 Some violations of international humanitarian law amount to war crimes; others may constitute crimes against humanity. In the case of Sri Lanka, the following reported acts of the government forces may be war crimes: intentional and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, attacks against medical facilities, starvation of the civilian population in the war zone, and enforced disappearances. The LTTE may have committed war crimes by deliberately attacking civilians and forcibly recruiting child soldiers.

Human Rights Crimes Allegedly Committed

Amnesty International has interviewed Sri Lankan war survivors who say that the Sri Lankan army and the LTTE both committed war crimes, including targeted and indiscriminate attacks against civilians.

The extent of violations in the later stages of the conflict remains unknown, however, following a government crackdown on independent reporting on the conflict beginning in 2008. By denying access to the conflict zone to UN agencies, humanitarian, human rights and other non- governmental organizations, as well as international journalists, the government excluded international scrutiny and effectively denied urgent critical humanitarian assistance to civilians.

A Sri Lankan government statement that approximately 3,000 to 5,000 civilians were killed in the last phase of the war is considered by many to be vastly underestimated. Estimates by the UN based on a daily count up to April 2009 put the civilian death toll at about 7,000; and it was estimated by some aid workers that as many as 1,000 civilians a day may have died after that. Unofficial estimates by UN personnel present in Sri Lanka during the final phase of fighting say that more than 20,000 people (and possibly up to 40,000) people may have been killed between January and May 2009. !

The Current Situation

The failure to act has left victims of human rights violations without access to justice, truth or reparations. Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans displaced at the end of the decades-long conflict struggle to rebuild their shattered communities in heavily militarized surroundings, with many still looking for justice for their killed relatives or waiting for word of the fate of their family members arrested at the end of the war.

The U.N.’s recently authorized international inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka brings new hope for thousands of victims of abuses in the country. It is important that the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights be provided the necessary material and political support to make the investigation as robust and far-reaching as possible, with an aim of establishing the truth and tackling impunity for past violations.

4 Since the end of the war, the Sri Lankan government has not only failed to provide accountability for war crimes, it has launched an aggressive campaign against those in Sri Lanka advocating for accountability and an end to impunity. Human rights defenders, journalists and activists critical of the government have been threatened and harassed. The draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has been used to detain without charge or trial peaceful critics and those suspected of links to the LTTE. Torture of prisoners is common in Sri Lanka despite laws prohibiting it. The PTA facilitates torture by reversing the burden of proof where torture or ill-treatment of detainees is alleged. Hundreds continue to languish in prison without ever being charged with a crime or given a trial. Arrests under the PTA are continuing to be made by the security forces. What is Amnesty asking for?

Amnesty International is asking that the Sri Lankan government: (1) repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and abolish the system of administrative detention in Sri Lanka; (2) release all individuals who have been arrested under emergency or anti-terrorism laws (including the PTA), unless they are promptly charged with a recognizable criminal offense and given a fair trial in accordance with international standards; (3) provide adequate medical care and compensation to torture victims; and (4) investigate and prosecute those responsible for torture. Additional Resources

Check out amnestyusa.org/srilanka for the latest reports, press releases and other AI documents on Sri Lanka. Please take action for human rights in Sri Lanka by sending online letters to the Sri Lankan government; go to tinyurl.com/SriLankanonlineactions to find the latest AI actions on Sri Lanka.

5 Q&A on No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka

What is “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”? It is the third in a series of documentaries first broadcast by Channel 4, a British film company, on television in the U.K. Produced by Outsider Television, it is a 54-minute film described by the filmmakers as being about “the final awful months of the 26 year long told by the people who lived through it. It is a meticulous and chilling expose of some of the worst war crimes and crimes against humanity of recent times.” It contains very graphic footage in a long format documentary and therefore has more impact on the public than a written report. The film has been hugely important, making it impossible for diplomats to ignore that gross human rights violations took place.

What new footage and new evidence of war crimes is in the Channel 4 documentary?

• Evidence and testimony that the Sri Lankan Army systematically and knowingly bombed designated safety zones for civilians. • Photographs indicating that the 12-year-old son of LTTE Chief was not killed in crossfire or in a battle, but was executed by Sri Lankan armed forces. • Mobile phone footage of naked prisoners being executed by Sri Lankan soldiers. • Additional mobile phone footage of dead Tamil Tigers, including women, that suggest sexual abuse.

How do we know the execution footage is authentic? Amnesty International considers the execution mobile phone videos to be credible evidence of war crimes.

The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions has also concluded that the execution mobile phone videos are authentic.

Are there any restrictions on how we can use this film? Channel 4 and Outsider Television have made DVDs of the film available to Amnesty International USA, on the condition that it is used only for free screenings by AIUSA groups and that the film is not uploaded to any website and not used or exploited in any other manner. If you have any questions about your possible use of the film, please first contact Jim McDonald, Sri Lanka Country Specialist.

6 Six Steps to Organizing a Successful Film Screening

STEP ONE: CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE AND POTENTIAL ALLIES (8 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT)

Who is it that you want in attendance for your film screening? Understanding your intended audience is the most important step to organizing a successful event, particularly to ensure that you choose an appropriate venue, date, time and speaker. If you need contact information for local and student groups and/or volunteer leaders in your area, please contact your Area Coordinator (AC) or Student Activist Coordinator (SAC).

Also, consider possibilities for collaboration with other community organizations. Collaboration or cosponsorship of your film screening with other organizations can help increase attendance and raise awareness of AIUSA’s work. Collaboration also promotes increased visibility for issues related to Sri Lanka and local AIUSA activism.

A Note on Working with the Sri Lankan Diaspora

There are thousands of Sri Lankans currently living in the U.S., from both the Sinhalese and the Tamil communities. Given that the film focuses more on crimes committed by government forces than by the LTTE, it is more likely that Sri Lankan Tamils would be interested in working with your group in showing the film than Sri Lankan Sinhalese. Just as when working on an event with any non-AI group, it would be important to be clear about what we hope to achieve with the event and what messages we want to convey. As an AI event, we would not want to be seen as endorsing any political demands or making any claim that AI does not support.

For instance, the following should be clearly understood and made clear to the audience at the film screening: 1. AI takes no position on whether there should be an independent state for Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority on the island, nor do we take any position on whether Sri Lanka should be a federal or unitary state. Our sole focus is on protecting the human rights of all communities. 2. Both the Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE were guilty of brutal human rights abuses during the war, some of which may have amounted to war crimes or crimes against humanity. Both sides should be held accountable. 3. AI does not describe what happened in Sri Lanka as “genocide;” we think that whether genocide occurred should be determined by an independent international investigation. 4. AI takes no position on economic sanctions against Sri Lanka being proposed by some in the Tamil diaspora; we neither oppose nor support such sanctions.

Any non-AI speaker at your event should be clear to distinguish between their own positions and Amnesty’s positions. If they do not make such distinctions, an Amnesty speaker should clarify that after the non-AI speaker is finished.

If you wish to have a Sri Lankan speaker at your event, please determine beforehand whether that speaker has been connected to either the Sri Lankan government or the LTTE. Persons associated with either the Sri Lankan government or the LTTE would not be suitable speakers and would only politicize the event in a way that could be damaging to Amnesty’s reputation for impartiality. Please contact the Sri Lanka Country Specialist if you need help in determining beforehand whether a proposed non-AI speaker could cause any such problem.

7 STEP TWO: CHOOSE A VENUE, DATE AND TIME (8 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT) We recommend looking ahead at least 8 weeks to schedule your event in order to allow for sufficient planning and outreach. Keep in mind your target audience, and ask yourself and your planning group:

• What venues are most easily accessible to the audience you’re hoping to attract? • Does the site have the necessary electronic equipment (DVD player, TV/projector of a reasonable size, adequate sound amplification, and microphones for speakers and discussion)? If not, are you able to rent this equipment for the event? • Are tables and space available for actions, literature, refreshments and snacks?

In addition to local movie houses, consider your non-traditional venues such as the library, school gymnasium, community center, place of worship (after a service or other event), your home and backyard (“house party” or “dinner and a movie”), the back room of a restaurant or bar, or university classroom. Be sure to be aware of concurrent events such as religious holidays, sports games, other social justice gatherings, student exam dates, festivals, concerts, etc.

If at a university, be sure to reserve your space early in the semester as classroom space can be limited. You may want to ally yourself with an existing student group or class so that you can ensure a rapt audience and a prime space. If you’re a member of an AIUSA local or student group, you may simply choose to devote one of your regular group meetings to a film screening and discussion.!

STEP THREE: POUND THE PAVEMENT AND DRIVE UP ATTENDANCE (4-6 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT)

If possible, pull together an outreach and planning committee of seasoned human rights activists and representatives of AIUSA local and student groups in your area. Work together with this group to advertise the film screening on public calendars (in local newspapers or on organizational websites), send emails to like-minded listservs, make phone calls to participants of past AI events, and post flyers around town. Also, be sure to also post your event online at www.amnestyusa.org/events.!

Reach out to new people whom you think the film will attract. For example, is there a large Sri Lankan population in your area? Set up some time to meet and screen the film in advance with some community members or organizations and ask if they would be interested in helping spread the word about the film. Academic departments, social service providers, identity-based community centers and resettlement agencies may also be willing to help with outreach to different populations.

Please see the “Driving up Attendance for Your Event” sheet included in this guide for new ideas and suggestions to ensuring a good turn out for your event.!

8 STEP FOUR: SET THE AGENDA (3 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT) When planning the event agenda, choose a facilitator for the evening, preferably an AIUSA activist with experience facilitating and/or a particular interest in Sri Lanka. The role of the facilitator is to provide context for the film, to lead group discussion and a group activity, and to close the event with an action on Sri Lanka. The facilitator will need to screen the film and draft discussion questions in advance of the event. If there is an additional speaker, make sure to put this person in touch with the facilitator in advance (it can be uncomfortable to present with someone whom you’ve never met; by speaking beforehand they can develop their own “flow”). See the “Sample Agenda” included in this guide and encourage the facilitator to review the “Tips for Facilitators” sheet in advance, also included here.

STEP FIVE: MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE! (1-2 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT) It’s easy to overlook small details when managing multiple elements of an event. However, the checklist on the following page will help you make sure that you have your bases covered in anticipation of and during your event. This list is not absolute, and you’ll want to have backup plans and the flexibility to overcome last-minute changes or challenges to your event. If working with a planning group, you may also use this checklist to aid in delegation of tasks.

STEP SIX: FOLLOW-UP AND BE IN TOUCH (WITHIN 1 WEEK AFTER THE EVENT) Congratulations! We hope that your film showing was a success! You’ve educated participants about why justice in Sri Lanka is important to all of us and inspired activism. Please be sure to follow up with Jim McDonald, event participants, supporting organizations and lead volunteers:

• Let us know how your event went! Were you satisfied with the turnout? Did the event move participants to action? How many appeals were generated? Please be in touch with Jim McDonald (and email photos/videos of your event!) using the contact information on the first page of this guide.

• Don’t forget the event participants! A quick follow-up thank you call or email with an invitation to the next AI gathering will help continue the momentum of the event. If participants indicated interest in receiving actions or updates on Sri Lanka, please share their contact information with Jim McDonald.

• Celebrate your success and say thanks! If you worked with the support of local organizations or groups, hosted a speaker or worked with AI or other volunteers, be sure to acknowledge individual contributions and say thanks. This will help to pave the way for future collaboration.

9 Event Planning Checklist

Use this checklist as you finalize your film screening plans, in conjunction with “Seven Steps for Organizing a Screening.” This checklist may also be helpful in delegating tasks if you are working with a planning group or committee.

! Get a copy of DVD from Jim McDonald ! Identify intended audience, venue, date, time (8 weeks in advance) ! Confirm AV equipment (TV, DVD player, microphone, audio, etc.) and test it in advance ! Pull together a planning and outreach group and delegate responsibilities ! Confirm facilitator (and speaker, if applicable) ! Reach out to AIUSA student & local groups in the area to encourage participation, volunteers, publicity and support ! Reach out and publicize to members of allied groups, community members and potential AI members ! Post your event on the AIUSA website (amnestyusa.org/events) ! Finalize agenda in partnership with the facilitator, and be sure they have the opportunity to see the film in advance of the event ! Pull together Sri Lanka & AIUSA materials for information table ! Bring an extra pair of computer speakers to your event if possible, particularly if you’re using a computer and/or LSD projector to show your film ! Copy the sign-in sheet on the final page of this guide, and bring pens and name tags (if possible) ! Refreshments and snacks (Can you have food donated?) ! Celebrate your success and follow up with Jim McDonald, your AC/SAC, participants and volunteers who helped to make the event possible (and don’t forget to return your copy of the DVD to Jim!)

10 Sample Agenda for Your Film Screening Event

This is just a sample agenda for a two-hour event for you to consider as you plan your film screening. You may consider the suggested activities on page 16 of this guide for further ideas and ways to engage your audience.

ARRIVAL OF GUESTS – 6:45PM Guests arrive, get settled, look over literature and partake in refreshments. Have everyone sign in so that you are sure to get names, email addresses and phone numbers for everyone in attendance. Encourage socialization so that people new to AI feel welcome and included!

INTRODUCTION (APPROXIMATE TIME: 10 MINUTES) – 7:00-7:10PM The introduction can be done by the event organizer, host of the event, coordinator of the AI local/student group or other representative. This individual should thank the group for attending, briefly introduce Amnesty International and AIUSA’s work on Sri Lanka, and may consider highlighting a particular issue featured in the film to be discussed following the movie. Review the agenda for the evening, introduce facilitators or other speakers and let people know that the event will wrap up with a petition-signing action.

FACILITATOR’S CONTEXT (APPROXIMATE TIME: 15 MINUTES) – 7:10-7:25PM This is the time where the facilitator breaks down what could be new and overwhelming into digestible pieces. Have a map – point out where the areas that are highlighted in the film. Briefly discuss the connotations that people have with terms such as “international justice” and “accountability” and then define how AI is using these terms. You may also pass out discussion questions so that people know what to focus on when watching the film. Encourage the facilitator to review the facilitators’ tips and consider the group activities at the end of this guide.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! (APPROXIMATE RUNNING TIME: 55 MINUTES) – 7:25- 8:20PM Sit back and watch the film!

DISCUSSION (APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 MINUTES) – 8:20-9:05 Following the conclusion of the movie, allow the facilitator to lead the group in discussion and, if applicable, introduce your speaker. The length of time for a speaker can vary, but should not exceed 20 minutes. At that point (or if you do not have a speaker), engage participants through group discussion and a group activity. Demonstrate how taking a few minutes to express your concerns to government officials can make a difference. Pass out photo action signs and petitions from the toolkit for participants to use, and discuss how you can use social media to stand up for human rights in Sri Lanka. If you have an especially large audience, you may want to break into smaller groups with a designated facilitator. Pass out the actions during the discussion.

WRAP UP (APPROXIMATE TIME: 5 MINUTES) – 9:05-9:10PM Here is your opportunity to build membership for your AI group and build a list of volunteers for your next event! Thank everyone for attending and remind them to be sure they have signed in. Encourage participants to take action materials to share with friends, family and colleagues. Be sure the group knows when your next AI event is being held.

11 Tips for Facilitators

A good discussion is achieved through planning and thoughtful facilitation. A good facilitator is someone who provides a structure for a group of people to apply their personal knowledge, experience and ideas in a way that guides group learning and discovery. A facilitator is not a lecturer and is not necessarily an expert on an issue. Rather, the facilitator is collaborative, inclusive and well prepared.

Facilitation is a skill which can be acquired - and touched up - through practice. The tips included here are intended as a guide for building skills and confidence in both new and experienced facilitators.

Know your audience and event expectations

In advance of the event, ask questions of event organizers to ensure that you have a good understanding of the intended audience, expectations for group learning and agenda for the event. Ask organizers: • What is the goal of the event? • How many people will there be? • What is their background? Are they members of AIUSA? Are they students? What are their main interests? • By knowing your audience’s knowledge levels you can tweak aspects of your presentation to best suit their interests and to provide proper context/background. • What is the set-up of the room? (This is crucial both for your comfort level and to see which activities are most appropriate.) • How much time do you have?

Know the direction of discussion

The most important thing about facilitating a discussion is knowing where you want the discussion to go. Have a few key points that you want to make sure you hit, or a few “ah-ha” moments that you want to bring home. You will want to allow the conversation and discussion to flow, but remember you are helping to guide people to these key points. It is often very good to write these down as bullet points/outline in a place where you can constantly see them while you facilitate.

Bring materials

Bring materials, such as a map of the world to point out Sri Lanka, an outline of potential discussion questions, vocabulary lists of terms that may be unfamiliar to the audience, a printed version of the petition(s) and announcements about future events.

Engage participants

People learn in different ways and you need to engage with peoples’ different senses. Have maps/pictures for the visual learners. Repeat things for the auditory learner. Write on a flip chart/black board for those who like to take notes. Also, learn people’s names and then respond affirmatively to each person by using their names (one of the reasons we love name tags!). Be sure to check out the suggested pre- and post- screening activities that are outlined in this guide, and consider incorporating a group activity into the event.

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Ask questions of participants

Make sure the audience can follow vocabulary and concepts used in the film and discussion. Don’t assume understanding – ask and confirm that the group is on the same page. Ask people if they have ever heard of the term “impunity;” if someone says yes, ask them to define it, then ask someone else to provide an example. This ensures that everyone has the same base level understanding.

Encourage questions from participants

Prior to starting the discussion, take a minute to set up a “parking lot,” a bulletin board or a “question box” where people can write down questions as they arise. Be sure to allot time in your agenda for Q&A specifically. Remember that as a facilitator, you have a responsibility to ensure that the conversation covers the issues that people have come to learn about. If someone is monopolizing the discussion or going off on a tangent that is irrelevant, respectfully redirect the conversation back to the topics at hand. Remind people that there is a “parking lot” for questions that may not be relevant at this time.

Use stories

People learn by stories. When referring to a specific date or name, tie it back to the story of that situation as told by the people in the film. If you are going to use specific names/dates, write them down on a flipchart or blackboard so people can see them. Focus on the overall issue of international justice and accountability through stories of tragedy, impunity, hope and success.

Review the issues

Before the event, review AI’s stances on the situation in Sri Lanka. Many of these issues are very personal and very visceral to people. If a participant departs from AI’s scope, that is fine, but you may want to clarify that AI has a different opinion, or no opinion, on such matters. Also, know when you don’t know AI’s position or the answer to a particular question; be comfortable saying just that! You can offer suggestions on where participants can get information they’ve requested and/or assist them in finding the answers to questions you can’t answer after the event. This is not only honest, but it may help engage that person further in their activism.

Move around

After the film but before you begin the discussion, you may want to have people physically move about. Participants have a hard time concentrating after they have been sitting for a long period of time. Have them get up and do an icebreaker, run to the map and put “sticky-notes” or stickers on the issues talked about in the film, or put one question on the parking lot. The goal is to find something to get their blood moving and their brains going.

Make a call to action

Make sure – at all times – to tie the film to local and global activism. How can participants of the event and everyday people make a difference? Ask them, show them and convince them.

13 Driving Up Attendance for Your Event

Ensuring a good turn out to your event through effective outreach and publicity is not easy, but it is an essential part of your planning for a successful AIUSA event. In order to build attendance for your No Fire Zone screening, consider the following tips that we’ve collected from AIUSA staff and volunteer leaders.

1 — Know who you want to attract

Do you want to attract law students? People associated with Asian community groups? AIUSA members?

Terms such as “members of the community” can often sound good, but are too vague to help you realistically strategize outreach plans. Figure out who your core group of “ideal” attendees are and be smart in how you can reach out to them. Work with ally groups, and ask them to reach out to their constituencies.

2 — Set Goals

If your goal is to bring 30 people to your film screening event, then your planning group should brainstorm a list of 120 people to invite, as you can expect that out of every four invitations you will probably get one “yes.” Unless you have an already committed audience (i.e. a set class or pre- scheduled meeting), you should work with a group of people and each commit to bringing a certain number of people. This way, you’ll not only have a good showing but you can build a diverse audience.

3 — Research community calendars and mailing lists

Do your research to find local media, school groups and other community organizations that host online calendars or who would be willing to publish your event in upcoming bulletins or newsletters. Contact them at least six weeks in advance of the event, and follow-up! To reach large local email lists, Chambers of Commerce, law schools or community organizations who organize similar events would be good places to start. You may offer to trade sponsor recognition in exchange for their mailing lists. The sponsorship could include a table at your event for them to distribute promotional literature. Of course, also post your event on the AIUSA events section via the online form at amnestyusa.org/events.

4 — Distribute flyers or handbills

Be sure to include all pertinent information: who, what, where, when, why and a contact person’s phone number and e-mail address. You may take flyers a step further with creative, eye-catching symbols (such as a stop sign to symbolize ending impunity for human rights crimes). Post flyers around town in high traffic areas and/or pass out handbills at events where you may find people inclined to be interested in human rights and Sri Lanka. You may use the sample flyer on page 19 of this organizing guide.

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5 — Make personal contact

Although email is efficient, it is no replacement for a personal invitation. Follow-up calls to the invitations and reminder calls ensure better attendance. Rule of threes: if you really want folks to turn out, invitees should be contacted 3 times! 1) Invitation. 2) Follow-up phone call. 3) Reminder phone call. Person-to-person contact is crucial in reaching individuals who may not otherwise feel a connection to your event. Reminder calls (a call-back to all your “yesses”) make a big difference for turn-out; make sure to do this in the three evenings immediately preceding your screening. Encourage everyone you talk with to bring a friend or two!

6 — Keep good records

Develop a specific, targeted mailing list and be sure to record who has been contacted and called, and their response. This will not only build your attendance for this event, but can also assist with future Amnesty International outreach.

15 Top Five Screening Ideas for Local Groups

If your Amnesty International group or other community organization is thinking about organizing a screening outside of your regularly scheduled meetings, we hope that you’ll consider opportunities for attracting new activists and building the base of human rights and international justice supporters in your community. Consider the below ideas for using the film in a less traditional way.

1 – Happy hour and movie Young professional activists and happy hour social functions are a great mix. Consider partnering with a local bar/concert venue, which may be willing to host the event in a party room, or host a screening at your home or backyard. Make sure there’s time at the end of the movie for discussion, recruitment and action. *When organizing a happy hour, please be mindful not to encourage underage drinking.

2 – Screenings at independent theaters Many theaters have times during the day or weekday evenings when films are not screening. Speak with the owner/manager to see if they would be interested in cosponsoring a screening with your group or if they’d like to feature the film as part of their weekly lineup (just make sure they won’t charge attendees!). Also request time for a post-screening “talk back” discussion, with a facilitator or speaker.

3 – Collaborate with your local service club Community service organizations (such as the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club) gather on a regular basis to host speakers, discuss topics of relevance to their area, and assist those in need of aid. Call the group coordinator to see if they are interested in screening No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka and hosting a speaker.

4 – Show the film at your State Capitol Collaborating with your local policymakers and showing the documentary at your State Capitol (or other government buildings) is a great way to garner attention on this issue and to ensure justice for the people of Sri Lanka. Contact Jim McDonald for more information on how to do this and for a sample resolution you could ask your State Legislature to adopt.

5 – If they can’t get to you, get to them! Don’t forget to make the film and Amnesty action accessible to people who may not be able to attend your gathering; if they can’t get to you, you should get to them! Most nursing homes have activities for their residents and would be interested in hosting an Amnesty International event. Be sure to bring sample letters and/or postcard actions.

16 Building the Momentum: Follow-up Action

After a successful film-screening event, think about how you can keep the momentum and energy moving towards further action for human rights in Sri Lanka. Be sure to follow the suggestions for follow-up in Step 6 of the screening guide, and consider the ideas below for further action!

1. Organize a letter-writing party or event.

Hold a creative event to collect large numbers of handwritten letters asking the Sri Lankan government to repeal the PTA, release or charge PTA detainees, and ensure justice for torture victims. One example of a creative event is an event done by an AIUSA group in Boston in which all participants were issued “passports” and encouraged to move around to stations to learn about different issues or themes. Each time a person took action at one of the stations, their “passport” was stamped, and could later be traded in for snacks from around the world. For an event on Sri Lanka, different stations could feature letters focusing different requests to the Sri Lankan government: repeal the PTA, release detainees or charge them with recognizable criminal offenses and provide them fair trials, provide torture victims with adequate medical care and compensation, hold torturers accountable, etc. Whenever holding a letter- writing event, please make time at the start of the gathering to share information about AIUSA, the actions that people will be taking, and other opportunities for activists to get involved with Amnesty locally. Don’t forget to use a sign-in sheet!

2. Write a letter to the editor.

Submitting a letter to the editor of your local or school newspaper is an important way to make your voice heard. In fact, the letter to the editor section is one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper! To significantly increase the chances that your letter is printed, use a recent event (such as your successful film-screening) as your “hook” or, if the newspaper has recently printed an article on Sri Lanka, write in response to that article. Make sure you have your facts straight, keep your letter concise and to the point and if possible, submit your letter online or via email. Most newspapers will only accept letters under 150-200 words.

3. Lobby your Members of Congress

Your Senators and Representatives can be very influential. Have members of your group write to your Members of Congress asking them to write the Sri Lankan government on behalf of PTA detainees in Sri Lanka, especially torture victims. Be sure to coordinate first with the AIUSA Legislative Coordinator for your State (consult your SAC or AC if you don’t know who your Legislative Coordinator is). Meet with your Members of Congress or their staff at a local office to follow up on your letters. Be persistent and polite and be sure to send a follow-up thank-you note to anyone you meet with.

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4. Plan an Event in your Community

Hold a tabling or vigil on the need for justice in Sri Lanka. Make your own t-shirt or pins; print posters and stickers and hand them out to friends, and post them at school or in your community; distribute letters and petitions.

5. Take Action Online

• Send online letters to the Sri Lankan government (go to tinyurl.com/SriLankanonlineactions). • Join “Support Human Rights in Sri Lanka” on Facebook to learn more about AI’s human rights concerns in Sri Lanka and take action. • Follow Jim McDonald, the AIUSA Sri Lanka Country Specialist, on Twitter (@jmccdon) • Join “Amnesty International USA South Asia Action Network” on Facebook to learn more about how you can protect human rights in the region. • Set up your own Facebook pages on Sri Lanka and publicize them to your friends. • See the attached toolkit for more information on how to use social media to campaign for Sri Lankan human rights.

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No#Fire#Zone:#The#Killing#Fields#of#Sri#Lanka!is!a!harrowing!documentary!exposing!shocking!new!evidence!of! war!crimes!committed!during!the!closing!days!of!Sri!Lanka's!civil!war!in!2009.!Produced!by!UK!broadcaster! Channel!4,!the!54Hminute!film!depicts!the!massive!human!rights!abuses!and!violations!of!the!laws!of!war! committed!by!both!the!Sri!Lankan!government!forces!and!the!separatist!Tamil!Tiger!rebels.! ! Please¬e:!Some!of!the!scenes!in!this!film!are!very!disturbing.!It!is!NOT!for!younger!viewers.! 19

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