Amnesty International at the Belleville Public Library

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

EMC Lifestyles -Here at Belleville Public Library we believe in the power of words, books, newspapers, magazines, whether in print or on a computer, words are our business. Words help us grow, through words we learn, we dream, and we expand our horizons.

Amnesty International believes in the power of words. They meet monthly to write "Urgent Action Letters" in support of individuals around the world who need help. The letters are mailed to government leaders and people in power to bring forward issues that need to be addressed. According to the Amnesty International web site, "The main goal is to use the power of letter writing to help bring about the release of people who have been wrongfully detained and to influence world leaders to protect individuals or people whose human rights have been denied."

For example, Amnesty International sent letters from across the world to the late Kim Jong-il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, demanding the closure of an inhumane prison camp in North Korea. Political prisoners, an estimated 50,000 men, women and children, are currently held there without

a fair trial. These prisoners are forced to work in dangerous conditions and many die in detention or soon after release. While one letter may get filed away, such a regime cannot ignore thousands of letters. They need to know that the world is watching.

Belleville Public Library, partnered with Amnesty International, is offering the space once a month to write these "Urgent Action Letters." Not only is the library a central meeting place where local residents can come to read, now they can come to write as well! If you want to make a positive change in your life this year, please come out and use the power of words to make the world a better place.

The next Urgent Action letter writing campaign will be held on the second floor (south end) of the Belleville Public Library on Tuesday, February 7, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more details, please call Information Services at 613-968-6731 (x2237).