Why we’re taking action for Raif Badawi

#FreeRaif: Join us in taking 50,000 more  actions

Dear Tracy, Natalie and I are two different activists with two different stories. I was raised in Egypt and moved to the U.S. in 2007. Natalie is from the U.S. but became passionate about human rights issues in the Middle East when she studied abroad. We arrived at human rights work from different places, but for the same core reason: We couldn't be indifferent to injustice. Together, we started Amnesty's DC Middle East and North Africa group, and together, we're raising awareness and taking action on behalf of Raif Badawi. Amnesty is calling for 50,000 more actions on Raif's behalf. Take action today. As a blogger, Raif was simply exercising his right to freedom of expression, and helping others do the same —and he's facing outrageous punishment for it. Growing up in Egypt, I saw first-hand the despair and hopelessness that can come from witnessing the crackdown on free speech. When it seems like nothing will come of continuing to stand up in protest, it can be easy to feel like giving up and to succumb to the perception that progress can't become a reality. But the movement on Raif's case demonstrates that activism — raising our voices together — really works. Raif hasn't been flogged for 9 weeks, and that gives me hope. But he is still in prison, still at risk, and must not be forgotten. Join us in taking action to show the world what an impact grassroots action makes. In solidarity, Khaled Sobhy and Natalie Green Amnesty activists and human rights defenders