Card Action

A former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Sami al Hajj, was held by the U.S. government without charge for over six years. During that time he received letters from people all over the world.

According to the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) he shared his thoughts on the importance of these missives from ordinary people.

"I received more than 20,000 letters from members and supporters of Amnesty International,” he said. “I received letters from all over the world. These letters really encouraged me during my very difficult time. They made me feel as though I was not alone and not to give up. Some people sent me songs, others poetry. I felt as though people had not forgotten me through these letters and I felt something change in my life for the better from these letters." 

The Sudanese cameraman was just one person to benefit from the small efforts made by individuals who thought to look beyond their everyday life. That’s the purpose of the Human Rights' Day Event on Dec. 13 – the Holiday Card Action at Barnes & Noble at Newport on the Levee. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. anyone can send a message to “prisoners and human rights defenders around the world.”

“Holidays can mean little to those who fear they've been forgotten by the world,” says a press release about the event. “A simple greeting card, however, can bring renewed hope. Prisoners and human rights defenders need your support. Please let them know they are not forgotten.”

Bring a pile of non-religious holiday cards to share with others, or just stop by an write a note on a card donated by others.

The Card Action is sponsored by Amnesty International and the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center.