Interview with Group 133 Member Hope Roth

September 1997

When did you join AI and why?

I went to my first meeting (along with my father) as an infant. As far as I can remember, I've been involved in some way, with Amnesty. When the ICM was held in Boston, I went to the group 133 meeting, which was totally cool because there were so many international delegates. I've been going to meetings ever since. Amnesty has always been a pretty big part of my life because my dad has always been so intensely involved. But, joining was my own decision. I'm really grateful to my dad for not pushing me to become a member, because it means that Amnesty is a part of my life voluntarily.

What was your first meeting like?

My first meeting was pretty surreal. For one thing, it was huge. It was not a normal meeting. Pierre Sane was there and so was most of AIUSA's board of directors. There were people from all over Europe and Africa. It was awesome.

Was your best/most successful AI experience?

That's a hard question to answer because I've had so many great AI experiences. And, of course, it goes with out saying that anything that Group 133 does is going to be successful! I guess that the recent AGM in New Orleans would have to be at the top of the list, though. Not only was it incredibly fun, but I also left feeling totally motivated and energized. The speeches were great and the people that I met were totally incredible.

Your worst?

There haven't been that many bad Amnesty experiences because usually I can always get something positive out of anything to do with Amnesty. If it's truly horrible, then i just chalk it up to a learning experience and pretty much forget about it. Tabling outside in direct sunlight is not the greatest and neither is rain. I guess the worst thing that I can think of is when we were at the H.O.R.D.E tour a few weeks ago and it started pouring almost immediately after the gates opened and never really let up. Walking around in the rain was really fun but when it got dark and really started to pour it was miserable. The ride home from Great Woods was really not that great.

What is the most important part of your work?

I think that the best thing that we can do is to write letters. All of the other stuff that we do like outreach and fundraising is critical to get the movement going and to keep things from stagnating but nothing really compares to a personal letter from hundreds of thousands of people. I will never forget the satisfaction that I have felt upon learning that thanks to our letters and postcards, someone has been released from Death Row or prison, or Justice has been served and Human Rights violators have been arrested. It's a great feeling.

Who are your role models?

I really look up to my dad. I don't know how he has managed to be so involved and do so many things without totally burning out. He's a great guy. I also look up to Jennifer Harbury. I would never be able to live through what she has (the death of her husband, her long fight for the truth). I admire her strength in standing up to both our government and the government in Guatemala. It takes a lot to get your voice to be heard.