The Gambia Press Union USA branch will conduct elections for a new executive

Demba Baldeh (Photo - Maafanta.com)

The Gambia Press Union USA branch will conduct elections for a new executive body on Sunday December 18, 2011, according to a media release. The GPU-USA Constitution mandates that a new executive leadership be elected every two years to lead the Union to fight for the interest of Gambian Journalists and press freedom in the Gambia and elsewhere. We are therefore inviting ALL Gambian Journalists active or otherwise, Media activists and those interested in press freedom to join us to elect a new leadership to help steer the affairs of the union in the next two years.

GPU-USA is a branch of the GAMBIA PRESS UNION created to advocate for the plight of Gambian Journalists and freedom of the press. The Union among other areas has made great strieve in advocating for our freedom of the press and the safety and security of all Gambian Journalists.  Below are a few issues GPU-USA was actively involved in during the last five years:

-  Intervened in the Arrest and Detention of the GPU 7 by actively issuing Press statements and engaging International organizations – Put more pressure on Government to Release the GPU 7

- Coordinated with other civic organizations and raised Funds for Sister Fatou Jaw Manneh’s Case… which contributed to payment of court fines

- Intervened and petitioned government and international organizations on the arrest of opposition leaders and continuous trample on Civil Liberties or ordinary citizens in the Gambia

- Collaborate with International press organizations and Human Rights Groups to keep pressure on the Gambia government to investigate the Brutal Killings of Deyda Hydara – leading to investigations by the Commonwealth Secretariat!

- Coordinate annual celebration of Deyda’s legacy to keep his dreams for press freedom and spirit alive!

•- Pressure on the Gambia Government to not only release but also accounts and compensate for Chief Manneh’s Disappearance!

-  Raised funds to support Chief Manneh's family for five consecutive Years helping with regular disbursement of funds to support the family – Thanks to the general public and other civic organizations and the GPU on the ground!

- Issued a strongly worded Statement in support of Freedom Newspaper's legal threat by Dr. Amadou Samba – And government census of Freedom and The Gambiaecho newspapers in the Gambia…

- Continue to address and support the plight of exile Gambian Journalists who seek for moral and other assistance from the Union

- Created a platform where all Gambian Journalists and those interested in press issues exchange information and discuss relevant issues pertaining to Gambian Journalists and press freedom!

If you think these events are worth the sacrifice and collective efforts of Gambian Journalists and sympathizers of the media, And that we should continue to stand up and advocate for freedom of the press and security of Gambian Journalists in the Gambia and elsewhere, then please take the time to come and Join.  Together we shall effectively defend the rights of Journalists and other media activists to freely carry on their duties without fear of intimidation and or disappearance.

Date: Sunday December 18, 2011

Times:

12:00pm Pacific
2:00pm Central
3:00pm Eastern
Call in # 218-339-2500. Access code # 1044876.

Demba Baldeh for GPU-USA