 Banned Book Week Activites
Banned / Challenged Book Reading & Poetry Slam
September 29 at 4:45 - 7:00 pm / (in front of the Library)
AI members will organize readings of banned / challenged books and provide information regarding prisoners of conscience. Event is open to the public. Audience members are encouraged to participate. Feel free to bring your own banned / challenged book or writing! Candlelight vigil to follow.
(See Challenged Books Available at the ASU Libraries)
Art Exhibit: Books Behind Bars / Display of Challenged Books
September 25 - October 2 / ASU West Library
View thought provoking artist interpretations of challenged books and read about people imprisoned for writing and publishing. The library will be providing a ready selection of challenged books for your reading pleasure. Check out a challenged book this week!
(See the art exhibit.) Amnesty International Tabling and Petition Drive
Amnesty International members will host tables and petitions throughout the week and during the weeks preceding and following Banned Books Week 2005. The focus of the AI tables will relate to human rights and freedom of conscience, with particular attention paid to persons currently being held for various 'crimes of expression' and conscience. (more info below)
See Journalists of Northern Mexico - a Special Focus Case.
Info from AI USA
Amnesty International USA will launch an Amnesty International Banned Books Website in support of Banned Books Week 2005. On this site you can view detailed information about the issues, ways to take action, and the current status of previous Banned Book Week cases.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/bannedbooks/
Prisoners of Conscience
A "prisoner of conscience" is someone imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs. The term was coined by Amnesty International's founder, civil rights lawyer Peter Benenson, who launched Amnesty International with an appeal on behalf of six prisoners of conscience. (more info - AIUSA)
These principles are enshrined in the following international documents:
2005 Cases
Case sheets and action materials will be available for all case at AI Banned Books Website.
- Tohti Tunyaz - Historian - Prisoner of Conscience - China (more info / google search )
- Fessahaye Yohannes - Poet / Reporter - Prisoner of Conscience - Eritrea (more info / google search )
- Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh - Editor of Women's Rights Publication - Endangered / Accused - Iran (more info)
- U Win Tin - Writing in Prison & Informing UN Officials of Prison Conditions - Prisoner of Conscience - Myanmar (more info)
- Abdulla Jamal - Possible Prisoner of Conscience - China (more info)
- Journalists - Threatened - Mexico (more info / petition)
Take Online Action:
Take Action! Your efforts have an effect. More than 37 prionsers have been released in the wake of Banned Books Week activities.
About Banned Book Week at ASU's west campus
Recognition of Banned Book Week 2005 at ASU's West campus is jointly sponsored by the Fletcher Library Diversity Initiative Team and the Amnesty International student club.
During Banned Books Week, Amnesty International directs attention to the plight of individuals who are persecuted because of the writings that they produce, circulate or read. Recognizing the relationship between the freedom to read and the freedom to create, the Amnesty International student club at ASU West has joined the Library Diversity Initiative Team in co-sponsoring the celebration, emphasizing human rights and freedom of conscience while addressing the real-life cases of people imprisoned for their expression.
Related Links
Merchandise
T-shirts will be available. Order by noon on September 21, 2005 for $13.
Banned Books Week Image: jpg | pdf
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