{NAME}, YOU did this!

Plus, Chau Van Kham returns home to Australia [View in Browser]( Hi {NAME}, The world has felt heavy lately, and I’m sure you feel it, too. Some days our work protecting human rights feels like an uphill battle. But then I’m reminded of how much we can — and do — achieve when we’re working together toward the same goal. Thanks to members like you, we have several important victories to share today. Every action you take for human rights moves us forward toward a better world. These wins wouldn’t happen without you. [MAJOR WIN: CHAU VAN KHAM RELEASED!]( [CHAU VAN KHAM RELEASED]( After meeting with a friend and fellow pro-democracy activist during his trip to Vietnam in January 2019, Chau Van Kham, now 73 years old, was detained and sentenced to 12 years in prison for “terrorist activities.” In July, after years of campaigning by Amnesty and his family — and support from 36,000 Amnesty members who signed a petition for his release, [Chau Van Kham returned home to Australia a free man!]( "I and my family would like to say thank you to Amnesty and all people who signed the petition in support of me, raising your voice for my case and bringing me back to my family and Australia. Thank you very much — Cám Æ¡n em." — Chau Van Kham Thank you to everyone who took action in support of Kham’s freedom. [GOOD NEWS: Expanded Protections for cameroonians in the us]( The Biden administration announced an extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon. This means that about 21,000 Cameroonians that are already in the United States will now have access to work authorization and won’t face deportation back to dangerous situations. Anti-Blackness is rampant in the US immigration system, so we always have to fight extra extra hard to win protections for Black migrants. That makes this victory extra extra special! Now, thousands of Cameroonians in the U.S. will feel more secure in their communities. [Amnesty worked closely with the Cameroonian Advocacy Network and other organizations to showcase Cameroonian voices and push for the extension and redesignation.]( We also worked with members of Congress to put pressure on the administration to [not forget about Cameroon during its TPS discussions.]( This is another example that shows we have the power to make good things happen. [Are you liking your Amnesty Impact overview? Let us know!]( [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]( [PRESIDENT BIDEN LAUNCHES GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION OFFICE]( [Sign that says Stop Gun Violence]( The Biden administration just announced the creation of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. We’ve been campaigning for an end to gun violence in the U.S. for years — and the establishment of this office is something that Amnesty has specifically called since 2018. This is an important step toward addressing the epidemic of gun violence in the U.S. “We hope that the creation of this office, under the leadership of the Vice President, signals to Congress and all that we will not stop pushing for real and substantive change that can end the harm and violence,” said Ernest Coverson, Amnesty’s Director of Gun Violence Prevention. “This isn’t just about guns. It is about our rights — our human rights as people living in the U.S. We all have the right to go to school, to worship, to go to the movies, to attend a concert, to go to the grocery store, to hang out on our front stoop or in a park without the fear of gun violence.” [READ OUR FULL STATEMENT]( [AMNESTY HOLDS DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE]( [Hundreds of white-shrouded body bags were thoughtfully laid in front of the White House]( Hundreds of white-shrouded body bags were thoughtfully laid in front of the White House last month in a silent demonstration organized by Amnesty and Avaaz. The body bags represented a mere fraction of the more than 12,000 people killed in the occupied Gaza Strip and around 1,200 people killed in Israel since October 7, 2023. To honor each life, a single red rose was placed on each body. Because of its close relationship with the Israeli government — which includes sending billions of dollars in military funding and weapons annually — the United States plays a key role and has a responsibility to ensure civilians are protected and a humanitarian collapse is prevented. An immediate ceasefire is needed to prevent further loss of civilian lives, ensure access to life-saving humanitarian aid, and prevent further forced displacement. More than one million people have already signed Amnesty's global petition demanding a ceasefire to end bloodshed. We need to continue to raise our voices. [Act now: Urge your members of Congress to call for a ceasefire.]( [ACT NOW]( Together, we will continue to take action to protect and advance human rights around the world. Your support makes that possible — it allows our movement to make a lasting impact. While you’re here, if you haven’t already, text AMNESTY to 21-333 or [sign up here for the Amnesty Mobile Action Network to receive the most urgent actions for human rights as well as updates on your support »]( [SIGN UP FOR SMS ALERTS]( It’s the best way to stay up to date on all of our important efforts and ways you can take action. Happy holidays to you and yours, Billie Hirsch Senior Director of Online Engagement Amnesty International USA P.S. Looking for a consistent way to defend human rights around the world? [Become a monthly supporter today.]( [If you begin today, a generous group of Amnesty donors will match the first 12 months of your contribution -- doubling your impact all year. Start donating today!]( And if you’re not in a position to start a monthly donation right now, that’s OK! [Make a one-time contribution to support human rights here.]( [DONATE NOW]( © 2023 Amnesty International USA 311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to aimember@aiusa.org. We’re so happy you’re here to hear about the most important updates on human rights! If necessary, you can [opt to receive fewer emails]( or [unsubscribe here](. [supporter]