The international Write for Rights campaign took place Dec. 14 at Warren Hills Regional High School to work toward changing the lives of people who have been persecuted by police officers, governments and big corporations for speaking out about injustices.
The campaign shows that there is power in numbers, and anybody can help make a difference in numerous ways.
According to Amnesty International, “people in more than 200 countries and territories write millions of letters, emails, tweets and petitions” as part of the campaign, which seeks justice for people unjustly imprisoned or accused of crimes throughout the world.
This local version of the event was hosted by the high school’s Library/Media Specialist Margaret Devine and Library Assistant Bela Shah.
Students and faculty gathered in the library to write letters to help call attention to the plight of people who have been imprisoned for voicing their opinions.
One example of a victim was Maung Sawyeddollah, whose family fled ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. Warren Hills writers had the option of penning letters either directly to Sawyeddollah, to encourage him, or to Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, whose Facebook platform allegedly enabled hatred and discrimination against Sawyeddollah’s people.
“It is important to contribute to the Write for Rights campaign every year, because it is an involvement in bringing the focus to human rights issues,” Shah said. “It also shows that one voice can make a difference.”
Another victim that Warren Hills writers endorsed was Ana Maria Santos Cruz, whose 31-year-old son, Pedro Henrique, an activist and advocate of racial justice, was murdered in Brazil five years ago. The police officers suspected of the crime have been indicted, but the court case has remained stalled for several years.
Warren Hills’ Write for Rights each year helps students realize how they can make a positive change and potentially impact people around the world, Shah said. Students also learn that simple acts of kindness and respect can make a significant difference.
But it doesn’t have to stop there. Warren Hills has a Human Rights Club that helps educate students on the injustices in the world and what they can do to help bring about justice. The club meets every Tuesday after school.
“I believe in equal rights for everybody,” said senior Nikki Zhang, who participated in Write for Rights. “People shouldn’t be punished for speaking their opinion.”
Overall, staff and student participants said the event was an educational experience and was definitely an event to remember.
