Social and Grass Root Organizations

Social and Grass root organizations

Civil rights in America in the 1960’s to the present

Keith A. Swift

Kaplan University

Exploring the 1960s: An Interdisciplinary Approach SS310 – 13

Instructor: Ruth ThompsonMiller

Abstract

In the 1960’s we saw demonstrations on the college campuses, in the streets, in Washington D.C. on Capitol Hill about the Vietnam War, civil rights and drugs. A once peaceful get together for communion and common interest known as Woodstock to enjoy music, and have a good time to celebrate peace and freedom. But we also saw groups form, and become active civil rights movements. In the upcoming pages we will discuss such groups, how they formed, and what they are doing today to keep civil liberties and freedom alive, groups like Amnesty International.

Social and Grass root organizations:

For this paper I chose to write about Amnesty International USA, a volunteer organization that stands up for human rights and humanism around the globe. I interviewed Jeannine Walsh on October 25, 2010 of the local Orlando chapter of Amnesty International number 519, past president of this chapter, and active member on the phone due to distance and time restraints of work. On Amnesty International it is stated that the “purpose is to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. We investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilize the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world.” (Amnesty International, 2010). As stated by Jeannine Walsh, this organization has over 2 million members in 150 countries worldwide that help protect the civil rights of “prisoners of conscious”, who are wrongfully imprisoned for being active protesters for human rights. Jeannine Walsh (2010). I chose this organization due to the fact it has had substantial influence in several countries, and I feel what it stands for has great meaning, and what it stands for in the overall...