Local Amnesty International members are inviting the public to send a greetings card to a prisoner of conscience over the next two weekends. The card-signings mark the end of an annual campaign in which Manx members of the human rights group have encouraged civic, church and community groups to help make home-made cards and offer opportunities for the general public to choose from a highly varied list of cases and send some New Year words of hope. Local activist Stuart Hartill said: “Over the years we’ve had some remarkable cards made and sent. In previous years we asked for home-made cards in the period coming up to Christmas, then held signing sessions in local shops after the January sales, but this is now less practical. Instead we’ve asked small community groups if they would work with us, and thankfully two have stepped forward. Hopefully in future others will follow as their members see what we’re trying to do, and how the cases we work on are, rather than the stereotypical ‘political prisoners’ of tabloid myth, actually just people and organisations exactly like them, just trying to be good neighbours and citizens in far more oppressive environments.” The first chance to sign cards is at Morton Hall (Onchan Pensioners Club), opposite Onchan Library on Sunday January 9th, when Isle of Man Freethinkers hold an open discussion entitled ‘"Belief Into Action" - How belief affects everyday life’. The Freethinkers invite the public to either attend the whole event from 2.30 PM or stop by to sign Amnesty cards from 3.45 - 4.30 PM, when there will be a stall alongside the post-discussion refreshments. See http://www.iomfreethinkers.co.uk/html/events_2011.html for more details on this and other Freethinker events. On Friday, 14th January the card stall is at the Java Lounge, over the Java Cafe, Duke Street, Douglas for the Independent Cinema night from 7.30PM. The film is ‘South of the Border’ and entrance is free but with donations to costs requested. Comfy sofas and refreshments add to a unique viewing experience. On Saturday, 15th January, the One World Centre hosts the final card-signing session as part of an Open Morning at their office at Thie Garey Ny Cloie, Foxdale Road, St Johns (the old Forestry Board building, opposite the saw mill). Tea and cake is on offer to anyone who calls in between 10.30 AM and 12 noon to sign Amnesty cards and find out more about either organisation. For more details on either the Independent Cinema nights or the One World Centre see www.oneworldcentreiom.org. Community groups or individuals interested in how they might help the local Amnesty group can ring Stuart Hartill (814496) for more details. ENDS