Amnesty in Salisbury & South Wiltshire
Promoting human rights from Salisbury UK
November 2024
We have made some changes to how we promote the site. We are – in keeping with thousands of others – no longer on X as it is allowing some unpleasant material to remain unmoderated. You will see at the bottom of posts that we are now on Mastodon and Bluesky. Please let us know if there are problems with accessing either of these. We continue to post on Facebook.
October 2024
The Salisbury Amnesty group was established 50 years ago this year and some of the current members met briefly for a photo in the Market Square. It was probably not imagined in those distant days that we would still be active. After all, the purpose of a charity is to work itself out of existence. Unfortunately, human rights are in a fairly parlous state in many parts of the world. Almost wherever you look, people are imprisoned for their political beliefs. Media organisations are tightly restricted or banned. Journalists are murdered, with three quarters of recent murders in Gaza alone. Terrible events are taking place in the Middle East. Atrocities continue in Burma, almost completely unreported. Individuals are tortured and justice is denied for millions. The post-war hope ushered in by the Universal Declaration has had only mixed results.
Depressingly, it is not just foreign countries where human rights are under threat. In the UK there has been a prolonged campaign to repeal the Human Rights Act led by a vocal section of the press. Several acts have been passed making protest harder and reducing access to judicial review. Police powers have been increased. Facial recognition technology does not seem to be far away. One of the leadership contenders for the Conservative party wants the UK to leave the European Convention of Human Rights.
Sadly, we are the only extant group in Wiltshire. So the next 50 years begins …
Members and supporters outside the Guildhall on 3 October. We were particularly pleased that one of the founder members from 50 years ago was able to attend. (Picture: Salisbury Amnesty)
October 2024
Don’t forget that we shall be in the Market Square, Salisbury today, Thursday, at 2:30 for a photo to celebrate the 50 years since the formation of the Salisbury Amnesty group. If you are able to spare half an hour or so, that would be wonderful. Whether you are a member, supporter or want to celebrate with us – doesn’t matter.
September 2024
The Salisbury group has decided to deactivate its account with X formerly Twitter. The platform has been the source of considerable disinformation and allows much unpleasant material to be posted. Although this is not unique to X its failure to moderate content properly was a factor. Our departure will make no difference to the site of course but we were concerned at the risk to our reputation.
We have instead registered with Mastodon and a handle of @salisburyai. Please give it a try and put it into your favourites (favorites)! Please let us know of any difficulties.
July 2024
We are pleased to attach the minutes of the group’s meeting on 12 July thanks to group member Lesley for their preparation.
NB: due to several people not being able to come, the Summer social event has been postponed. We will decide on an alternative at our September meeting.
April 2024
Past event
The group will be holding a market stall tomorrow, Saturday 4 May 2024 from around 8am until noon. Supporters are welcome to volunteer to help if they can. Also we need stock to sell so a trip to the attic is required to fish out stuff you don’t want. Bric-a-brac is popular, china, CDs and I suppose LPs these days, good books, plants (with a label to say what they are please) and clothes. No electrical items, sorry.
It is also an opportunity if you are thinking of joining the group to make yourself known to one of us on the stall.
Previous stall
Vigil today in Salisbury market (near the Library) starting at 5pm. All welcome. A small voice for peace in these troubled times.
March 2024
Members of the Salisbury group took part in the 17th Vigil in Salisbury Market Square in support of peace in Gaza. There are people from Salisbury CND and Sarum Concern for Israel Palestine as well as those not affiliated to any organisation. The current death toll in the territory stands at just over 33,000 with thousands more unaccounted for. Famine is now in prospect.
We shall be back next week but note a change in start time to 5pm.
Some of those present
March 2024
The fifteenth vigil was held on Saturday 16th March, this time on the Library steps as it was inclement. The vigil is supported by Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine (SCIP), CND and the Salisbury Amnesty group. It is in aid of securing peace in that region. Just over 40 attended the event which lasted half an hour. There will be another next Saturday, 23rd March starting at 5:15.
31,000 have now died in Gaza the majority of whom are women and children. Many more are yet to be discovered in the extensive rubble.
There is faint optimism with talks taking place at present and it is reported that Hamas has moderated its demands.
Picture: Salisbury Amnesty
March 2024
The fourteenth vigil was held in the Market Square attracting strong support as usual. There was coverage in the Salisbury Journal. The vigil is to promote peace in Gaza.
There was another on Saturday 16th (brief report soon). Over 30,000 have now died in the conflict with thousands more injured. Thousands more are missing presumed dead.
Amnesty in Salisbury & South Wiltshire 