Possible Opportunities for Participation:

Sri Lanka Petitioning on April 2nd at the Federal Plaza (230 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604) from 12:30pm -2pm. 

The “I AM A MOM” ACTION (WE STAND BY THE MOMS!) on Wednesday, April 4 from NOON to 1:00 pm at the James R. Thompson Center at 100 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 

Hot off the presses! You heard it here first!

(Chicago) Dot to Dot Management, Martyrs’ and Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) announced today that Marc Ribot will headline a benefit concert honoring the human rights organization’s 50^th anniversary. In addition to Ribot, the concert will feature a performance by singer-songwriter David Safran and a “Toast to Freedom,” honoring Amnesty International’s 50 years fighting to secure and defend human rights for all people.

Amnesty International’s Midwest Regional Director, Debra Erenberg, noted “Musicians and music lovers have been a huge part of Amnesty International’s life-saving work over the decades. This benefit concert offers Chicago-area music lovers a chance to support human rights advocacy right in their own backyard.” Recent examples of AIUSA’s local efforts include working to repeal Illinois’ death penalty and to expose and reform abuses at the Tamms Cmax prison, in addition to sponsoring a health fair and panel calling attention to the lack of access to maternal health services in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.

Marc Ribot is a guitarist and composer whose recording credits include Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithful, Allen Ginsburg, Norah Jones, The Black Keys, Jakob Dylan, Solomon Burke, Allen Toussaint, Madeleine Peyroux, Jolie Holland, Elton John, John Mellencamp, and many others.

David Safran is a singer-songwriter who writes provocative, eloquent folk rock crammed with ironies, unforgettable lines, and a wickedly dry wit. UR Chicago called him “a keen, unflinching recorder of his life…David Safran delivers a voice unlike anyone heard today.”

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots organization with more than 3 million supporters, members, and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. From large stadiums to club shows, amnesty has used the platform of live music for decades to help spread the important message of human rights to music fans all over the world.