Monthly Bulletin
Welcome to the Artists for Amnesty Monthly Bulletin, which will keep you informed on critical human rights issues, cases of individuals at risk, and the life-saving work of Amnesty International. Our Monthly Bulletin will also highlight the efforts of artists on behalf of human rights.Sudan
For 20 years, Sudan has been in a deadly civil war between the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). However, over the last year, the warring parties have participated in peace talks aimed at ending the war, which brought hopes that a final agreement will be reached in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, just as peace appears at hand for one part of the country, the same human rights abuses that characterized the larger conflict have erupted and plunged the people of Darfur into a nightmare. Over 10,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced in what some are currently calling the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Most of these victims have been civilians. The crisis in Darfur must be addressed quickly and forcefully by the international community, and the government of Sudan must protect the human rights of all its citizens and ensure that its forces and all allied militia cease to commit human rights abuses.Annual Report
Amnesty International released its 2004 Annual Report on human rights abuses around the world on May 26. Amnesty International denounces armed groups and governments for unleashing weapons of terror – direct attacks, indiscriminate attacks and torture, including rape – on civilian populations worldwide in what it said was the most sustained attack on human rights in 50 years.Learn more about Amnesty International’s annual report »
Carandiru
On May 12, Amnesty International opened its 3rd annual Film Festival in West Hollywood with the premiere of CARANDIRU, directed by HECTOR BABENCO. Hector Babenco was awarded the Artists for Amnesty award for his body of work addressing human rights issues, such as Pixote, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ironweed and At Play in the Fields of the Lord. DARYL HANNAH presented the award. Carandiru is based on the true events surrounding the massacre of 111 prisoners in a Brazilian detention center by the same name in 1992. Since that time, the prison has been demolished and a park has been built in its’ place.The Amnesty International 2004 Film Festival, held at the Directors Guild of America, featured 37 films in 23 languages. from around the world. While they stand alone as powerful works of art and journalism, these documentary and feature films also offer crucial perspectives and cogent commentary on some of today's most pressing human realities.
Artists for Amnesty would like to offer its special thanks to Hector Babenco, Daryl Hannah, The City of West Hollywood, Sony Picture Classics, Ethos Water, Block-Korenbrot, Inc., The Brazil Foundation and The Directors Guild of America for their support.
Spin
REVOLUTION FITNESS hosted a fundraising event for Artists for Amnesty at its spinning studio in Santa Monica on May 7. Dedicated riders rode for two hours and raised nearly $10,000 in support of Amnesty International’s campaign to Stop Violence Against Women. Special thanks goes to STEPHANIE MOORE and CARI BJELEJAC for making this event possible. Revolution Fitness continues to support the campaign by selling Artists for Amnesty T-shirts .For more information about Revolution Fitness, please visit their website »
Transitions
TRANSITIONS Southern Africa is a remarkable collection of exquisite photographs which capture the dignity and humanity of people in Southern Africa by GORDON CLARK . A native of South Africa, Clark is a celebrated photographer and television commercial director. The many captured images depict nature and human-kind in the humble traditional existence endemic to the indigenous African people and their transition to urban existence. Many of these people are in dire need of representation, support and education so that they may confront their situation and the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is devastating their communities. Proceeds from Transitions go to fighting HIV/AIDS in South Africa and caring for children orphaned by the disease.Transitions is available at amazon.com ».
