This Saturday millions of people will gather around the globe to write letters as part of the Write for Rights campaign.

The signature campaign of Amnesty International has been around for more than 20 years defending human rights.

Ten cases have been selected by the organization “based on gender, geographical location, and type of human rights violation to capture the breadth of Amnesty’s work” says Marilyn McKim who will be leading the event on Saturday.

“We get permission from them in advance, tell them they will receive massive national attention. We make sure it won’t have a negative effect, and keep them informed of the progress as well as the result of the letters,” she said.

The focus for this year’s event is freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.

Participants will have the option of writing a letter to those involved, including local state officials who have the power to end the abuse.

Aleksandra Skochilenko, a Russian dissenter of the war in Ukraine, who faces 10 years imprisonment for outlawed rhetoric is among those on the list. Participants can learn more about her story, and find Amnesty International’s vetted address lines by visiting the case sheets here.

Write for Rights will be hosted in the CSI Annex from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those interested in attending can choose any time they are available on that day and stop by.

“You will be shown around the premises, there will be merchandise and free refreshments. The main event will of course be sitting at tables with others and writing letters for [any of the ten] cases,” added Mc Kim

For people who are unable to attend the event this Saturday you can still participate in Write for Rights. The campaign will continue for all of January allowing students who are heavily focused on exams the opportunity to contribute a letter.

Students may also choose to write a letter with multiple contributors and sign their names as one letter.

“Write for Rights was started by students, by a couple in Poland who had heard about a community in Nigeria writing 24 hours straight to support a cause in 2001. They began Write for Rights with the ambition of getting their whole country involved,” she said.

Canadians have taken to the event in an exponential growth. In 2003, 3026 Canadians participated, with the number growing to approximately 30,000 last year.

Inquiries related to Write for Rights or Amnesty International can be sent to marilynjmckim@gmail.com.

Those interested in attending can click here.