On December 18th, 2009, members of the province attended the screening of Rethink Afghanistan, a documentary that focuses on the key issues surrounding the current war in Afghanistan sponsored by the United States, at the Arlington Heights public library.  The film exposes the myths offered by the U.S. government for U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.  For more information on the documentary and events in Afghanistan, please visit www.rethinkafghanistan.com

Earlier in the month, members of the province gathered with others on December 10th, 2009 at the Evanston public library for Torture…Where Do We Stand Now for a panel discussion commemorating International Human Rights Day organized by the Evanston/Rogers Park Amnesty International Group 50.  Panelists included Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU, a survivor of torture and founder of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International, the only organization founded by and for torture survivors www.tassc.org,  Gary Isaac, author of numerous amicus briefs in Guantanamo detainee cases, Tom Parker, Policy Director for Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Human Rights at Amnesty International USA, and Jamal Watkins, Midwest Regional Director of Amnesty International USA.

Believing that laws are meaningless unless they are enforced, panelists argued for the closing of Guantanamo detention center, banning military commissions, ending indefinite detentions, and an impartial investigation into the use of torture by the United States.

For more information, please visit Amnesty International USA