Upcoming events can offer greater community involvement for students

"When the first 200 letters came they gave me back my clothes ... the letters kept coming and coming; 3000 of them ... the president called the prison and told them to let me go." These are the words of a prisoner of conscience who was released due to the human rights activities of Amnesty International.

As college students in the United States, it is easy to become isolated from the rest of the world. So much goes on that we don't know much about, and it is hard to keep track of or even care about events that seem so far away.

As students at the University of Arizona and members of Amnesty International, we want to let other students know of two important upcoming events in Tucson.

On Wednesday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m., Joe Baker, the deputy director for the Western Region of Amnesty International, will hold a discussion at the First Christian Church at the intersection of Euclid and Speedway. He will introduce the upcoming Refugee and Guatemala campaigns, as well as answer questions about this and other issues. Many other groups in Tucson are expected; interested students and faculty are invited to attend.

The following Wednesday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m., in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, there will be a discussion with African students (and all other interested students) about current events in Africa. Hafsat Abiola, whose father is the elected presi dent of Nigeria and presently in prison, will take part in the discussion. On Thursday, February 13 at 3:30 p.m. in a room yet to be announced, Ms. Abiola will be present at a larger gathering to discuss the recent political developments and human rights issues in Nigeria. All are invited to attend!

Please remember that by informing yourself and others of world and community events, you can make a difference.

Thank you.