After returning back from the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down schools, many Bonita Vista High (BVH) extracurriculars and clubs were cut off. However, several clubs are being revived by students and staff members welcoming them back into the community. BVH History of the Americas, Mexican-American studies and Advanced Placement (AP) World History teacher Jose Vallejo, was the advisor of the Amnesty International club’s since the club first started in 2017, which he is reviving for the 2023-2024 school year since it first started in 2017. This 2023-2023 school year, he is reviving the club.
The BVH Amnesty International Club is a campaign run by youth activists who advocate for change and raise awareness for human rights within the community. The club allows BVH students to have a voice, stand up for their rights and give others the opportunity to show interest in fundamental human rights. Vallejo further elaborates on the Amnesty International Club’s objective to serve as more than just a school club.
“[The Amnesty International Club is] more than a club, it is actually an international organization that has a high school component to it as well as a college [role],” Vallejo said. “It brings awareness to human rights issues that are affecting people in different parts of the world and in our own society.”
After mentioning the club to an AP World History class last year, numerous students expressed a desire to bring back and take part in the organization. With the student support for the club, Vallejo released an email to all BVH students for those who are interested in restarting the Amnesty International club. Vallejo urged students to join and experience the many opportunities offered by the organization.
“The Amnesty International Club [wants] to protect human rights. We work with other organizations, like feminist organizations [such as] the National Organization of Women are trying to incorporate education and action together to make a difference,” Amnesty International Club Secretary and junior Vivian Pruitt said.
The club’s goal is to educate others, fundraise money for petitions and open workshops. Amnesty International President, club coordinator and junior Capri Molina, brings attention to the fact that many times people do not understand human rights and the impact they have.
“I thought [the club seemed] really interesting and currently there are a lot of issues about spreading awareness. […] I think it [is a] really good [way] to raise awareness because I don’t think many people can actually verbalize what human rights are. Especially [that] people don’t really realize how our own rights are currently being threatened,” Molina said.
Molina explains that in order to revive the club there would be a required minimum number of students interested in joining the club. Along with this requirement, the club officers struggled with tactics on how to educate others about human rights as they started with new club members. Furthermore, Pruitt expresses the struggles she experienced when starting up the organization.
“Right now, I don’t really think there is that much action because we are still prepping and talking with our students and advisor within the organization,” Pruitt said. “We were not really familiar with what to do and how to work as a chapter within a bigger organization. [We want to focus] on the organization overall, like what we want to do for club activities and what kind of action we want.”
Members look to utilize any methods possible to do so. Molina emphasizes the fact that many students do not acknowledge the sacrifices made in the history of human rights. Thus, the club seeks to inform the community about human rights and the meaning behind them.
“It is really important that we focus [on] rights like [freedom of speech, freedom of slavery, freedom of education],” Molina said. “Those fundamental freedoms are something that we all deserve to know and to advocate for.”
Molina believes human rights should be frequently taken under consideration and discussed in today’s society. Since officers of the club experienced trouble with the process of starting a new club, they reached out to others to educate themselves on how to do so.
“We actually contacted an amnesty specialist, [which is] a specialist who talks with new groups and directs them on how to run the club. That really helped us understand what should be going on in the meetings so we could educate and give a call to action to our students,” Molina said.
Throughout the meeting, the officers understand the priorities and issues that go under their organization. Vallejo further elaborates on the purpose of the Amnesty International club.
“We are a global movement of seven million members, supporters and activists across the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied,” Vallejo said.
Moreover, BVH students have taken a liking toward the organization and have obtained strong feelings towards what they do and how they can make a difference within our community. Molina shares her overall thoughts about the organization’s significance at BVH.
“We could spread a message for any justice, freedom, truth, dignity that is denied. Step up and be the voice for people who are often silenced and don’t feel like they advocate for what matters most. We should be stepping up, we should be uncovering individual human rights uses and advocates and educating the public,” Molina said.
