Amnesty International Global Day of Action on Egypt Sat., Feb. 12

Activists in Washington To Demonstrate Solidarity with Human Rights Aspirations of Egyptian Protesters

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amnesty International activists will gather around the world and across the United States, including across from the White House, on Saturday, February 12, to show solidarity with Egyptians peacefully demanding human rights protections and an end to 30 years of repressive government. Major rallies are being organized in Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago. Lafayette Park will symbolically be renamed "Tahrir Square" to show solidarity with Egyptian protests.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081014/AILOGO)

Amnesty International activists around the country will send a clear message that Egypt must now reform its government at this critical moment to ensure human rights protections for its people. The organization has issued a "Human Rights Agenda" for Egypt, calling for a curb on the sweeping powers of security forces, the release of all prisoners of conscience, and for safeguards against torture, among other goals.

Amnesty International is turning out for the rally along with young Egyptian activists and a coalition of organizations.

"We stand in solidarity with the peaceful aim of the protests in Tahrir Square and elsewhere throughout Egypt," said T. Kumar, international advocacy director for Amnesty International USA. "They want to see an end to repression in Egypt and a new day of fundamental reforms to protect human rights – and so do we."

The rally will call on the United States' government to stand up for human rights in Egypt. "Now is not the time for compromise," said Kumar. "The Obama administration must urge the Egyptian authorities to implement institutional changes that will prevent human rights abuses. We want the people of Egypt to know that while some governments may waiver in their support, the people's movements are not."

The activists will symbolically "rename" locations where Saturday's demonstrations are held to "Tahrir Square" to show solidarity with the peaceful protests.

Who: Amnesty International and other activists

What: Global Day of Action for Egypt

When: Saturday, February 12, 1:30-3 p.m.

Where: Lafayette Square (across from White House)

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Contact: Jiva Manske, [email protected] 202-675-8151

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

For more information about human rights and protesting in Egypt please visit:

http://blog.amnestyusa.org/tag/egypt/.

SOURCE Amnesty International