Letter signing is back!

See the "Upcoming events" page for info on the next outing of the group, back on the streets (actually the Market) with a new action.

Human Rights Week 2013 - Report

We were at Clonakilty Market with our stall selling Amnesty goods on 4 days (6-8-13-20 of December). The sale side didn’t go as well as expected or as in previous years, but we believe it is still important for the visibility Amnesty gets; moreover, it is always a good opportunity to offer people a chance to sign letters, a sort of “excuse” for the letter writing marathon, our main priority for the month of December.

We then held the second edition of the Human Rights Birthday Party, for kids and families, in the town’s square park on Sunday the 8th, in the afternoon, and though few people came, we can say it was better attended than last year, so this second attempt is at least encouraging; it was pleasing to see school-age people present, with some girls from Sacred Heart Secondary School enjoying the “Human Rights Relay”, run around the square. With only one team, the victory was easy, but we hope to have more competitors next year and anyway... CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM! 

The wind didn’t allow us to light the 65 candles, but the cake was much appreciated by all present!

The letter writing marathon went well, though not as successfully as last year, due to the poor results of the market; anyway, we believe the numbers are still good, especially for a little town as Clonakilty:

Ethiopia = 48 letters signed

Russia = 35 letters signed

Myanmar = 44 letters signed

Honduras = 50 letters handed out at the candle-light vigil on the 10th of December... (we cannot know what people did with them!)

Israel = 40 letters signed 
Bahrain = between 20 and 30

Clonakilty Human Rights’ Week then closed on very high notes with two excellent musical events on Monday and Tuesday.

The “Raising Our Voices For Human Rights” Concert was held in the peaceful and inspiring atmosphere of the Methodist Church (thanks for the collaboration!) and the audience was treated to a fantastic show by 12 superb local singers (some widely known, some less famous but equally talented) who very kindly performed for free to honour the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 30 articles were displayed one by one on a screen during the songs.

This year’s high quality, over-two-hour long concert was dedicated to the memory of Nelson Mandela, a selection of whose quotes were read between the performances; moreover, people had an opportunity to sign Clonakilty’s Condolence Book for the great man, an initiative launched by the town council, who let the book be moved from the Library for the occasion. Funds were raised to cover the expenses of Human Rights’ Week, but the organizers were mostly happy about the very positive feedback received from the audience (who included people of all ages and also Mayor Phil O’Regan) who enjoyed not only the stunning performances but also the well-thought mix of Human Rights and Mandela’s wisdom. Very importantly, in an exercise of Human Rights activism, letters requesting the release of a prisoner of conscience were signed during the concert. 

The exact anniversary of the Declaration was instead celebrated on Tuesday evening, with the now classic candlelight vigil. The authorities showed once more their appreciation of the events, as Deputy Mayor Anne Cullinane was present (with cloak and chain!) and the organizers were delighted by the overall attendance, significantly higher than in recent years, thanks to the presence of two musical enterprises: the event has always benefited from some musical cooperation, but this year something special happened, as the Acapella Bella Choir was joined by the Human Orchestra, a project directed by Justin Grounds which involved all the participants in creating new harmonies with their voices to accompany the light of Human Rights around town. The finale in the newly designed Kennedy Gardens, in Emmet Square, was particularly moving, with the evening darkness and silence gradually transformed by the light of the candles and the voices of the people attending. This time, letters were distributed for people to take action on behalf of a Human Rights group facing threats in Honduras (Cofadeh). 

Let it roll!

Let's usher in 

Clonakilty Human Rights' Week!

Celebrate with us the 65th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Loads of wonderful events: a fun-filled birthday PARTY, a high-quality CONCERT for local voices, an atmospheric candle-light VIGIL with new music and  a fantastic STALL at the market!

Full programme in the "upcoming events" page.

Human Rights Debates report

"Cloghnykylte 400"

Secondary School

Human Rights Debates

Clonakilty Community College team won the final debate on the death penalty in Ireland, although they met a strong challenge from the Sacred Heart Secondary School Team.  
Hats off to the Community College--great debate champs!!

Annual fundraising gig report

Amnesty International’s Clonakilty Human Rights Week events got off to a great start last Saturday, 30th of November, with the lively gig at De Barra’s in Clonakilty.  The Clonakilty Amnesty Group would like to thank the bands and singers who gave their services for free:  Fusion, Poco Rio, Les&Eve Clague, Mudkat Brew, and the very generous sponsors of the raffle prizes: Thornhill Electrical Skibbereen, Olive Branch, Lettercollum Kitchen Project, Clonakilty Chocolate, Mattia Leoni Photography, Elena Trivellato Physiotherapy, Deasey’s Restaurant, Supervalu, Barryroe Co-operative, and De Barra’s Pub who hosted the evening. Together they enabled us to raise €550 for a great cause. 

Human Rights Debates

"Cloghnykylte 400"

Secondary School

Human Rights Debates

                                                        
THE FINAL

When: Tuesday, the 19th of November - 8.00pm
Where: O'Donovan's Hotel
Who: Clonakilty Community College VS Sacred Heart Secondary School
What: the topic will be Death Penalty

There are sure to be sparks flying this night: don't miss it!
All family, friends, and supporters welcome.  
Admission free.

Thank you...

...very much to Vic and all the organisers of the Samhain Festival (African music&dance&food... 25-27 October), who decided to dedicate the raffle collection to Amnesty; it was a very successful project and we want to extend our most sincere gratitude to them for their choice.

Part of the funds will help the Clonakilty Group keep doing lots of activities locally (including the upcoming Human Rights week - see the "events" page), while the rest will go to the Irish section, to support Amnesty's work of researching and campaigning for human rights both in Ireland and around the world.