Targum spotlight: Rutgers Amnesty International aims to create space for human rights activism
International Human Rights Day is globally recognized as December 10, the anniversary of the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This year marks 75 years since the declaration's original adoption by the United Nations General Assembly.
Rutgers Amnesty International is an on-campus student organization that has advocated for domestic and international human rights since its creation in 2016.
The organization is affiliated with Amnesty International, a global movement committed to exposing and supporting fundamental human rights violations.
Khushi Kadakia, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior and the organization's vice president, said the chapter focuses on conducting research and direct action that will prevent human rights violations of freedom of expression, freedom from discrimination and freedom to integrity.
Kadakia said she hopes members will be willing to go out of their comfort zones when discussing pressing issues in order to engage in meaningful change.
The chapter was created during the politically contentious time in 2016 when discussing controversial topics on campus was a necessity, according to a statement from Rutgers Amnesty International to The Daily Targum.
Melody Nunez, a School of Arts and Sciences senior and the chapter president, said the chapter focuses on one issue that is typically at the forefront of the media and brainstorms on how to make an immediate impact, such as through protesting, signing petitions or writing letters.
"Typically, we host meetings centered on educating, discussing and taking action," she said. "Every semester, we try to hold a 'Write for Rights' meeting, where we write letters based on the human rights cases Amnesty (International) is focusing on, which can be from illegal detainment, persecution and so on."
Kadakia said her favorite memory with the organization is going to the Zimmerli Art Museum on the College Avenue campus at the end of the academic year. She said she recalls that during her first year at Rutgers, an exhibit on Angela Davis was on display, and the chapter members got the chance to create linocut prints.
The chapter also held a memorable "Pin Your Passion" night, where chapter members got to create their own button pins, she said.
Luiza Leite, a School of Arts and Sciences junior and chapter treasurer, said a memorable moment for her was during the Fall 2023 semester when she presented on the intersection of art and activism by sharing her favorite artists who use art as a medium to address human rights.
Another event hosted by Rutgers Amnesty International was Java for Justice, where chapter members discussed the importance of having freedom of speech and how book banning in New Jersey and the U.S. contributes to its violation, Leite said.
"Discussing a topic that I am passionate about over coffee and taking action by writing letters to government officials was an approachable way to engage with activism on campus," she said.
During the event, chapter members wrote letters to government officials to pardon artists and writers who were in prison for expressing their freedom of speech, Nunez said. Chapter members were encouraged to bring their own mugs from home for the provided coffee to be sustainable, she said.
"Sometimes, it feels like we as individuals have no power when facing complex topics such as human rights, but in (Rutgers) Amnesty (International), we value the power of grassroots activism," Leite said.
