The Amnesty International Club at Hastings High School has now, for the first time in many years, become an official branch of this organization. Although they only became official as of this year, this did not limit them in the past. 

Amnesty International is an organization of over 10 million people in over 150 countries and territories, devoted to protecting, promoting, and defending human rights for everyone. Through high school chapters of Amnesty International, teenagers have the opportunity to inform others about problems in today’s society and work towards making a difference.

Over the years, the HHS Amnesty has raised awareness and promoted fundraisers to support the human rights of people everywhere. Last year they held many fundraisers like the art auction, which raised money supporting CREA, an organization in Nicaragua that promotes literacy and learning. Smaller examples include handing out ribbons for each donation at the Winter Concert, funding relief after Hurricane Ida, running bake sales to raise money for organizations such as Feeding Westchester, a letter-writing campaign that mails letters to leaders around the world to stand up for those whose human rights were abused, and going door to door in town for donations for SOLA (School of Leadership Afghanistan). This school worked to educate young girls in Afghanistan.

 So far, this year, Amnesty has been focused on fundraising for organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project and the Red Cross, for earthquake relief in Afghanistan. To decide which human rights issues to address for each fundraiser, all the club members come together to express their thoughts and decide as a group. The club comes together in Room 228, which is their advisor, Mr. Brad Hunt’s room, at 2:45 on Tuesdays. All students are welcome to join, just show up to the meetings! 

Follow them on Instagram: @hhs.human.rights