Currently, AI consists of a bunch of students and Mr. Barringer as the advisor. There have been over 14,000 letters written since AI started,

AI members congregate in Barringer’s room on some Friday nights to watch movies. There are two types of these movie nights. Some pertain to human rights issues, are shown free of charge, and AI members usually only attend. Everyone who goes brings food so through the movie everyone can snack. Beyond Rangoon was watched in October, and Dead Man Walking was seen in December. In the past, AI Movie Night was turned into somewhat of a social event/fundraiser. Students were charged $1 admission and watched a popular movie with their friends. Such movies include The Little Mermaid, The Power of One, Shadowlands, The Killing fields, and Kiss me Guido.

A unique feature about Amnesty life at AHS is the independent studies. Anyone who is involved in AI has the option of taking it as a class. This takes the place of a directed study hall, and credits are earned corresponding to the hours put in. The AHS guidance office shows great flexibility when it comes to taking classes. AHS has been a leader in the independent study program in Massachusetts. During the independent study, members do extra work, write letters, organize events, or even search online for more urgent actions or ideas. The possibilities are endless.

AI has three bulletin boards. Two were already at the school and one was purchased via fundraisers for AI. These bulletin boards are maintained by AI members, and show the many aspects of what AI is trying to accomplish.

In Auburn, AI has fundraisers. This year, students sold tee shirts at our lunch periods. These quality tees were bought from Mirror Image in Cambridge. For homecoming, Amnesty set up a booth and sold AI bumper stickers, hemp necklaces, tee shirts, and other assorted AI knick-knacks. Approximately 85 tees were bought, and sold, making a hefty sum of money end up in Amnesty’s treasury.In 2000 a very successful "Amnesty Dance" took place. Money was raised to pay back stamp debts and help us into the 2000-01 school year!

The Amnesty Table is set up at lunchtime when a special event is occurring. It has been known to appear when there are tee shirts to sell. Recently, AI has began selling buttons along side the tee’s. Also, the table is used to give information out. When a petition is to be signed, it is put in the cafeteria along side a trusty and energetic AI member. In December, AI launched the annual Holiday Card action. This consisted of cards going out to wrongly imprisoned people, instead of their governments. They were put in the cafeteria and signed by interested people passing by.

Every year, AI students become teachers for a period to introduce freshmen students to Amnesty. Two or three AI members go to freshman English classes, encouraging them to join Amnesty and informing them of Amnesty’s actions.

A peaceful fort exists for AI in Auburn. Formed in November, desks, posters, and everything else under the sun were arranged into a cubicle in the back of Barringer’s English classroom. This section of the room is not designated for English students, who are kept separate! A colorful map clearly depicts all of the places where letters have been written.

“Razen,” has become a popular greeting to AI members. In the holiday spirit, the AmnesTREE was created. It’s a regular Christmas-type tree in the Amnesty Fort, but it doesn’t have regular decorations. AI decorations consist of pictures of members, the names, places, and pictures of the places that AI is sending appeals to. “Razen,” is displayed on the front of the tree, meaning “Hello, and peace!” in Tibetan.

Every member gains something from AI that they could not otherwise obtain. They are able the break free from their small suburban bubble and see how the world really is. They gain awareness of the injustices in other countries and in their own. Auburn’s Amnesty has an enthusiastic desire to protect human rights and better the world.