Campus Amnesty International coordinators facilitated letter-writing to President Barack Obama in the EMU Amphitheater yesterday, urging him to take action that would benefit many of the organization’s goals.
The letter-writing booth provided pre-written letters for students to sign, which outlined a checklist for Obama’s first 100 days in office. The bullet points included closing the United States’ Guantánamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, banning torture under international law, and setting up an independent inquiry into the United States’ detention and interrogation practices. Most students who visited the booth signed this letter, which read “President-Elect Obama: Show Real Leadership in Human Rights.”
Students could also write personal letters to the White House. Amnesty International member and University sophomore Karissa Yoakum wrote her letter about sexual violence in the Congo, where approximately ten women are being raped every day. She wrote, “I would love to see the U.S. help the Congo to achieve an environment where women can feel safe to go about their daily lives.” She also told Obama how he can impact her daily life. She funds her own education and would like to see the new administration make college more affordable.
Yoakum believes her voice will be heard. “These letters make the government pay attention,” she said. “They bring awareness to the issues most important to the public.”
The University branch of Amnesty International ends all of its weekly meetings with a letter-writing push in hopes that the current administration will put human rights on the agenda.
“I hope human rights and the world don’t depend on my handwriting skills,” said Amnesty International ASUO Director Heather Marek, as she made a sign that read “Free Cookies.” Sweet Life donated snacks for the Inauguration Day event.
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UO students write letters to Obama
Daily Emerald
January 19, 2009
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