Amnesty International Dignity Week

Uninhabitable land, dirty water and poverty are just some of the unfortunate results of the methods used by major corporations to obtain resources like water and oil.

From March 8 to March 12, Amnesty International will be hosting a campaign called Demand Dignity to bring awareness of and try and alleviate poverty and other major problems. As a club, Amnesty is focusing on how students can use their buying power to demand dignity by choosing to buy eco-friendly or fair-trade products.

“Fair-trade creates a relationship between buyer and producer such that people learn the skills necessary to live a sustainable life. Buying eco-friendly and fair-trade is about making a life choice and seeking alternative options. It’s easy once you make it your mindset,” said Amnesty club president Lemiece Zarka, a senior.

Amnesty is petitioning to change the policies of two companies in particular: Shell Oil and Fiji Water. Shell Oil mines oil from the Niger Delta, destroying the land and preventing people from living on it. Fiji Water holds a monopoly on the water it bottles, which means nearby towns are unable to have access to clean water.

Throughout the week, Amnesty will campaign around the Oak Tree, passing out purple bracelets and Demand Dignity stickers. The club has also written chalk messages on the ground around the Oak Tree to bring attention to their campaign.

Participants are eligible to enter in a raffle if they sign the petitions against Fiji Water and Shell Oil. Winners, who will receive eco-friendly prizes, will be announced on Friday on N.T.V.