• What is a pressure group?

• A PRESSURE GROUP IS AN ORGANISATION OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE SIMILAR VIEWS AND GOALS.

• THESE GROUPS USUALLY WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING.

• THEY MAY PUT PRESSURE ON ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT, LOCAL COUNCILS, BUSINESSES AND THE MEDIA TO MAKE CHANGES.

How many Pressure Groups can you name?

• AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

• Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for human rights.

From the Amnesty website:

• “We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.

• Historically our campaigning has focused on prisoners, but we have responded to the changing patterns of human rights violations in the world. Today people are more likely to become victims of abuse because of who they are, rather than for what they think, say or do -- the biggest threat to human rights are the mass violations committed during armed conflicts”.

• GREENPEACE IS AN ORGANSATION THAT USES NON-VIOLENT METHODS TO EXPOSE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.

• The protection of rainforests

• The elimination of toxic chemicals

• An end to the use of nuclear weapons

• The promotion of renewable energy

The sinking of the Rainbow warrior.

On July 10th 1985 the Greenpeace flagship, the Rainbow Warrior was sunk near New Zealand. The French Government were testing nuclear warheads underground in the French Polynesian atoll of MORUROA. Greenpeace was opposed to testing and planned to lead yachts to the atoll to protest, including an illegal incursion into French military zones. The French government decided that in order to stop the planned protest, the Greenpeace flagship would have to be sunk. Operation Satanique would seek to disable the Rainbow Warrior while it was docked, while trying to prevent any casualties.

Fernando Pereira, a photographer, drowned on the sinking ship. Two French agents were arrested by the New Zealand Police on passport fraud and immigration charges. They were charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, willful damage, and murder. As part of a plea bargain, they pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were sentenced to ten years, of which they served just over two.

• CND campaigns non-violently to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and to create genuine security for future generations.

• CND opposes all nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction: their development, manufacture, testing, deployment and use or threatened use by any country.

• Age Uk aims to help the elderly, by reducing poverty, loneliness and age discrimination.

• NRA – NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

• The NRA is “committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes”.

• Dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by their troops, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association in 1871. The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and

encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis,"

In 1791 the Bill of Rights was added to the American constitution (an amendment).It said –“…… the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”.

Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state and are independent of existing federal firearms laws.For example:In 2005 Florida introduced a law giving its citizens the right to “stand their ground” and open fire, even in a public place, if they feel threatened and the gun lobby is trying to pass a bill in the state that would allow workers to bring guns into the workplace with or without their employers permission.

• This group campaigned for a child’s rights to see both parents and grandparents.

• It was disbanded in January 2006.

• Four months later, in May 2006, the group reformed and protested during the live broadcast of the BBC lottery show "The National Lottery: Jet Set".

The Snowdrop campaign was formed immediately after the Dunblane massacre where 16 children and their teacher were murdered by Thomas Hamilton who held a legitimate hand gun licence.Its aim was to ban the private

ownership of handguns across Britain in the hope of preventing such a tragedy from ever happening again.

In July a group of organisers from the Snowdrop Campaign, including some of the bereaved families, travelled to the House of Commons in London to present a petition containing approximately 750,000 signatures.

In November, 1997 the private ownership of all handguns became illegal in the UK. With their aim successfully completed, the Snowdrop Campaign quietly dissolved.

• From 18 March to 21 March, there were the funerals of the 16 children and their popular and respected teacher. A corner of the Dunblane Cemetery serves as a silent classroom where a teacher and 13 of the 16 children who died that day lie at rest surrounded by flowers.

• Gwen Mayor, 45 years old • Victoria Clydesdale, five years old • Emma Crozier, five years old. • Melissa Currie, five years old • Charlotte Dunn, five years old • Kevin Hasell, five years old • Ross Irvine, five years old • David Kerr, five years old • Mhairi McBeath, five years old • Brett McKinnon, six years old • Abigail McLennan, five years old • Emily Morton, five years old • Sophie North, five years old • John Petrie, five years old • Joanna Ross, five years old • Hannah Scott, five years old • Megan Turner, five years old• On 22 March, the school was reopened, except for the

gymnasium, which was demolished on 10 April.