GTA Amnesty International Newsletter May 2021

“Water: Mother Nature’s Blood – screening and panelSunday May 2nd Join us at 4pm EST on Sunday May 2nd for the Canadian premiere of Water: Mother Nature’s Blood. This powerful 44-minute documentary from Guatemala tells the story of a courageous struggle by Maya Q’eqchi communities to protect their rights and access to life-sustaining water. The screening will be followed by a not-to-be missed conversation with the film’s director Pepe Orozco Recinos and with Indigenous defender Isabel Matzir, partner of prisoner of conscience Bernardo Caal Xol, who is featured in the film. Amnesty Canada is actively campaigning for the release of Bernardo Caal Xol, who has been unjustly imprisoned for the past 3 years for peacefully leading the struggle of his people to defend their rights and the Cahabón River on which they depend. The event will offer opportunities to take solidarity action. For more information on our call to action please read here. The documentary will be live streamed on youtube Premiere @4pm EST. The panel will start @5pm EST. Registration for film and panel HERE. Closer to the event date all registrants will receive an email with information on how to access the film.  The event is organized by the AI Climate Justice and Corporate Accountability Specialized Team – Environmental HRs Defenders/ Bernardo Caal sub group.Contact: ianheide@yahoo.com

AITO MONTHLY MEETING AND AITO AGMAmnesty International Toronto Organization Annual General MeetingThursday, May 20, 7:00 PM ESTOur AITO Annual General Meeting will be taking place on May 20, including the member’s vote for the AITO Board of Directors. Advance registration for the meeting is required, please RSVP at  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0td-2tqD4tGt3-H0Zq3JXDXQzDrcm7yQPt Please note, to run for the AITO Board of Directors, or cast a vote for the AITO Board of Directors, you must be an Amnesty International Canada (ES) member in good standing, and have made a financial contribution of any amount at least 30 days before the AITO Annual General Meeting (by April 20).   AI CANADA (ES): NYAAC Youth SurveyThe AI Canada (ES) National Youth Action and Advisory Committee (NYAAC) created a short 10-minute survey that will assess youth engagement, involvement, and support within the Amnesty International Canada English Speaking network.  If you are an AI youth 25 and under: NYAAC wants to hear from YOU, a youth in the Amnesty International movement, about your experiences within the organization, and how the NYAAC can help create a better environment for the vital youth activism you contribute to Amnesty.  Taking the time to fill out this quick survey would allow YOU to inform our work and advocacy for youth to and with the Board of Directors, Amnesty staff, international bodies, and senior management. Thank you!  Amnesty International GLOBAL ASSEMBLY (GA)Anyone who has ever participated in a GA will tell you that it is an amazing experience. In addition to hearing from AI activists from around the globe, delegates have an opportunity to debate, discuss, negotiate and resolve issues that directly affect Amnesty’s human rights work on an international level. This can be challenging and exhausting work, but it is also immensely satisfying and, at times, exhilarating! AI Canada (ES) is looking for: >>2021 Member Delegate Call for Expression of Interest – 1 member (Deadline April 30th, 2021)  Submit an application form >>2022 Youth Delegate by Appointment (25 and under) – 1 member (Deadline May 7th, 2021)  Submit an application form  AI CANADA (ES) Accessibility Audit Reference Group! About the reference group: this reference group is tasked with guiding the AI Canada Accessibility Audit and will include selecting external consultants to perform the accessibility audit, collaborating with external consultants, and supporting the implementation of recommendations.  Who we are looking for: the reference group is looking to centre disabled and racialized voices as we guide the accessibility audit and we are actively seeking members with these lived experiences.  How to apply: if you are interested in joining the AI Canada Accessibility Audit Reference Group, please send a statement of interest to Andrea Oakunsheyld at aoakunsheyld@gmail.com.  Deadline: May 9th 2021 AI CANADA (ES) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021Our 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place online from June 4th– 6th. The AGM is an event that brings Amnesty International Canada members together to participate in exciting workshops, panels, skills training sessions, as well as connect with members from across the country. Most importantly, the AGM does important governance business. This means looking at how and what Amnesty Canada works on, and voting for members of the Board of Directors. To ensure you can vote at the 2021 AGM you must formally notify us of your choice to become a member AND have made a financial contribution of any amount at least 30 days before the AGM (by May 4th). It’s easy to do and your financial contribution can be any amount! You can do both of these actions on this page.  Just a) click the financial contribute link, and b) the become a member button. You can still attend the AGM and not vote if you would rather not make a financial contribution – so please do not let that stop you from joining us. Registration is now open for the 2021 AGM – so join us online this June! Sign up here. More information will come your way soon on the programing for the week-end!  60 Candles for 60 YearsCalling all artists! Amnesty International’s iconic candle-and-barbed-wire logo is recognized around the world. And this year Amnesty and its candle turn 60. Sadly, we can’t gather to mark the occasion, except online. So that’s where this special 60th anniversary art exhibition will be located. We invite all artists to submit a high resolution photo of an original artwork or photo that in some way presents or represents a candle that we can bring together with 59 others in an online exhibition we’re calling 60 Candles for 60 Years. All the details are HERE. Hurry, the deadline is May 16, 2021!  This newsletter is produced by Elena Dumitru, National Leadership Development Coordinator, AICS (ES) If you have questions, comments, or would like more information on any aspect of Amnesty’s work, we’d love to hear from you. Please call us at 1-800-AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789) OR by email.