30 July 2007

Kiwis artists make a noise for freedom

This week, Kiwi artists and other well-known New Zealanders are joining Amnesty members in raising their voices for justice and freedom at Amnesty International Freedom Week events up and down the country.

FREEDOM WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

Street and supermarket collections, busking events nationwide Organised by local Amnesty groups. Friday 3, Saturday 4 August.

"Toast to Freedom" events Organised by local Amnesty groups and members. We raise a glass to freedom to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as New Zealanders that millions are denied. Monday 30 July and throughout the week

Freedom Challenge A team challenge for Amnesty school, University and youth groups, highlighting internet repression and campaigning on behalf of Chinese and Egyptian "cyber-dissidents". Throughout the week

Wellington Batucada and Dance Brazil The Capital's finest Samba acts, in Rio carnival costume. The Old Bank Arcade, Lampton Quay, Wellington. Friday 3 August 5-6pm

"Shut down repression: re-boot human rights" Victoria University group Freedom Challenge gig, featuring Fighting the Shakes & The Actualities Subnine. Edward St, Wellington. All ages from 7.30pm, R18 10.30pm. Saturday, 4 August

"Great Wall of Silence" Four University groups with syncronised "student gagging" actions will highlight internet repression in China. Auckland, Canterbury, Victoria Kelburn, and Massey Palmerston North campuses. Wednesday 1 August, between noon and 2pm

AKsamba Community group playing Brazilian percussion with hip-hop and reggae influences. Freyberg Square, Auckland. Friday 3 August, 5.30-7.30pm

The Kimitiri Young Mothers Mothers and children in a busking event organised by Canterbury University group. Outside Ballentynes, corner Colombo St and Cashel St Mall, Christchurch. Friday 3 August, 10am-2pm

"Dear to Me" book launch, Dunedin A poetry anthology featuring favourite poems of 100 well-known New Zealanders. The 100 Kiwis were approached by the Amnesty International group at Auckland Girls' Grammar School. Royalties from the sale of the book go to Amnesty International to fund its priority campaigning. Dunedin City Library. Monday July 30, 5.30pm

7 WAYS NEW ZEALANDERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S LIFE-SAVING HUMAN RIGHTS WORK DURING FREEDOM WEEK

• Phone 0900 48626 (0900 HUMAN RIGHTS) to donate $20 • Text the word 'free' to 883 to donate $3 • Donate on the street or other venue on Friday 3 August, Saturday 4 August • Buy the "Make some Noise/Save Darfur" album The 2-CD set of John Lennon songs by 23 of the world's leading artists. Available from all good music stores, including The Warehouse, Sounds, JB Hi-fi, i-tunes, digirama • Join Amnesty International, take action at www.amnesty.org.nz • Donate online at www.amnesty.org.nz • Support a Freedom Week event

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

Freedom Week 2007 supports

• Global campaigning to: save lives in Darfur, stop violence against women, end torture and terror, and promote human rights reform in China. • Work on behalf of individuals like Mokarrameh Ebrahimi, a 43 year old woman currently at risk of death by stoning for adultery in Iran.

Proceeds from the sale of the Make Some Noise album go to support Amnesty International's urgent work on Darfur and other human rights crises worldwide.

WHY WE'RE MAKING A NOISE

• CHINA At least 10,000 people are executed in China every year, sometimes for the smallest offences, and often after torture or prolonged interrogation produces a 'confession'. People are routinely arrested, tortured and imprisoned for daring to ask questions of their rulers.

• TORTURE AND TERROR Hundreds of people from more than 30 nationalities are still in detention at the US Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. They are there without charge, and with little hope of obtaining a fair trial.

• DARFUR Since 2003, hundreds of thousands having been killed, thousands of women raped, and over two million men, women and children made homeless.

ENDS

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