GTA Amnesty International Newsletter June 2021

Indigenous Children Deserve Justice and Accountability

The remains of 215 Indigenous children were found buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia on 27 May 2021. Amnesty International mourns these children and those who never came home. We are in solidarity with residential school survivors, their families, and all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who are grieving and mourning. These children should never have been taken from their families. Read our full statement HERE.  TAKE ACTION!USA/Israel: End the Violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Sign our e-action here. Colombia must respect the right to peaceful protest.  Sign our e-action here. PRIDE 2021: Keeping the protests online. Learn more and take action in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) rights while practicing social distancing.  Take Action for Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Latin AmericaJoin us on Wednesday June 30th at 7pm EST for a letter writing event and solidarity action with women environmental defenders in Latin America. Perhaps the greatest cross border priority we all face is protecting the environment on which our human rights and shared future depends. Environment defenders in Latin America risk their very lives to respond to this challenge with hope and enormous courage. Indeed, Latin America is the most dangerous region in the world to defend human rights and the environment. Women environment defenders face the added risk of sexual violence against them or their children because their outspoken efforts challenge traditional gender roles as well as economic interests. Register in advance for this meeting: https://mcgill.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscuCgqz0sE936JRTS8DGklL0jUpiAlyz3 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.Contact: womenenvironmentaldefenders@gmail.com  AI Canada National Youth Action & Advisory Committee(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!  AI Canada National Youth Action & Advisory Committee (NYAAC) is Recruiting!The National Youth Action and Advisory Committee (NYAAC) is currently recruiting new members for the AI Canada NYAAC Team 2021 – 2023! If you are a young activist, 16 – 23 years old as of June 1st 2021, you are encouraged to put forth an application to join NYAAC’s dynamic and diverse team! Please check for more details and the application form HERE.  Deadline is Friday July 2nd. If you have any questions about recruitment or the work of the NYAAC, please contact  NYAAC@amnesty.ca.    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.