Tag Archives: #AmnestyConcert

Thousands of Activists Brought Human Rights Home and This is What Happened

February 6, 2014 at 1:52 AM

One night. One movement. There’s nothing like a stadium full of activists, human rights defenders, former prisoners of conscience, and musicians coming together to Bring Human Rights Home.

Imagine Dragons rocked the house. An amazing performance and heartfelt and humbling call to keep our eyes and hearts open to human rights.

Imagine Dragons performs at the Bringing Human Rights Home Concert

Imagine Dragons performs at the Bringing Human Rights Home Concert

Ms. Lauryn Hill rallied the crowd, keeping us all focused on “Working Hard” for human rights.

Ms. Lauryn Hill on stage at the #AmnestyConcert

Ms. Lauryn Hill on stage at the #AmnestyConcert

Pussy Riot’s Nadya and Masha, with Madonna, read powerful letters from Russian prisoners – and led the crowd in a chant of “Russia will be free!”

Masha and Nadya of Pussy Riot on stage at the Bringing Human Rights Home Concert

Masha and Nadya of Pussy Riot on stage at the Bringing Human Rights Home Concert

Finally, when The Flaming Lips, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon and dozens of Amnesty staffers and volunteers took the stage for the final song of the concert, it was more than just an amazing end to a memorable evening: it was the coming together of a powerful community — Amnesty’s network of human rights defenders.

Musicians and Amnesty staff and volunteers sing "I Shall Be Released" to close out the Bringing Human Rights Home Concert

Musicians and Amnesty staff and volunteers sing “I Shall Be Released” to close out the Bringing Human Rights Home Concert

Tonight thousands saw and heard the soundtrack of a human rights movement, led by a new generation of artists. Thousands more around the country and around the world engaged through their activism and through their social media channels. It is a human rights movement in high definition. And it is just the beginning.

Thank you to all the artists, celebrities, activists and volunteers who made this moment possible. Check back with us as this journey continues.

What You Need to Know Before You Tune Into Saturday Night Live Tonight

February 1, 2014 at 12:28 PM

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Hot off their Grammy win and right before their appearance at our Bringing Human Rights Home Concert at the Barclays Center, Imagine Dragons will be sharing the stage with Melissa McCarthy tonight on Saturday Night Live.

Imagine Dragons won’t be joining Seth Meyers on for his last Weekend Update, but if they were, they would tell you all about our concert on February 5.

On Wednesday, Imagine Dragons will be joining the Flaming Lips, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Tegan and Sara, The Fray, Cold War Kids, Colbie Caillat and Cake to take the stage for human rights.

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Why We’re Wishing Imagine Dragons ‘Good Luck’ at the Grammys

January 25, 2014 at 5:21 PM

good luck imagine dragons

Amnesty International USA Executive Director Steven W. Hawkins is busy in Washington, DC helping staff prepare for Amnesty’s Bringing Human Rights Home concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn February 5.  But not too busy to send good wishes to Imagine Dragons ahead of the Grammy’s this Sunday, January 26. We asked him about his thoughts ahead of the concert.

Q: So Steven, we are impressed that you like Imagine Dragons. Why?

HAWKINS: I’m excited that Imagine Dragons (in case you haven’t heard, they’re joining our February 5th Bringing Human Rights Home Concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn), have been nominated for two Grammys – for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance. Their performance with us next month will be dedicated to the cause of inspiring a generation of young people who care about human rights to use their power to improve lives around the world. I’d like to publicly cast my vote for Imagine Dragons! Good luck, Dan, Wayne, Ben and Daniel!

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An Activist Remembers the Concert That Moved a Generation

January 24, 2014 at 11:08 AM
Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour performing onstage at the Human Rights Now! concert (Photo Credit: Ken Regan/Neal Preston for Amnesty International).

Peter Gabriel and Youssou N’Dour performing onstage at the Human Rights Now! concert (Photo Credit: Ken Regan/Neal Preston for Amnesty International).

By Paul Paz y Miño, Amnesty International USA’s Colombia Country Specialist

Growing up with a Quaker education always led me towards social justice, but it was music that opened the door to Amnesty for me. I’ve been an active member of Amnesty International USA and a volunteer leader for more than half my life and it all started at the Human Rights Now! Tour in Philly in 1988.

Having already been a huge Peter Gabriel and Genesis fan, I was absolutely not going to miss his performance and especially looked forward to his human rights anthem “Biko.” Adding to that, with Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Youssou N’Dour and Tracy Chapman – artists with a strong and ongoing commitment to human rights – the show was unlike anything I had ever seen.

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Members of Pussy Riot Joining All-Star Lineup at Amnesty Concert on Feb. 5th

January 22, 2014 at 1:30 PM

1528556_10151855501576363_2133184317_n-1By Ann Burroughs, Amnesty International USA Board Chair

I just heard some great news, and I can’t wait to share it with you. I’m so excited to announce that on Feb. 5th, Pussy Riot’s Nadezhda “Nadya” Tolokonnikova and Maria “Masha” Alekhina will participate in Amnesty International’s landmark Bringing Human Rights Home Concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

I know the ability of music to move mountains. During my time as an activist in apartheid South Africa, singing together helped unite us in the streets, and helped demonstrate our power. Cries of “Amandla!” echoed through the townships and cities alike, and I knew I needed to join in. At the same time, protest songs rang across the world with powerful messages that amplified the voices of the anti-apartheid movement.

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