Annie Lennox, Harry Belafonte, Piper Kerman and More Set for ART FOR AMNESTY in Brooklyn

Legendary musicians, top artists, and filmmakers -- including Annie Lennox, Harry Belafonte, Oscar winner Laura Poitras, Jesse Williams, Piper Kerman, and MTV World GM Nusrat Durrani -- will join Amnesty International USA's executive director Steven W. Hawkins this weekend at the annual gathering in Brooklyn for the re-launch of one of the organization's pillar programs -- Art for Amnesty.

"More than ever before, we need creative ways to bring a spotlight to people's stories and to stand with human rights defenders everywhere -- to tell the world the truth, " said renowned musician and activist Harry Belafonte. "Art for Amnesty brings the power, vision and passion of people who believe in freedom of expression to projects and campaigns with potential to reach new audiences. I am proud to be a part of an organization who has done so much for human rights all over the world for so long."

Amnesty International has brought millions of people together to defend human rights, working successfully with creative industries and individuals to amplify and share the stories of those who risk much to build a world that protects and promotes human rights and human dignity.

"As the universal language of communication, music is a wonderful medium to inspire others to feel empowered and connected, " said musician Annie Lennox."Amnesty International is a leading light in the fight for human rights, in the U.S. and around the world. I passionately believe in Art for Amnesty's mission to promote and encourage positive change for humanity."

Even though artists have always been a part of Amnesty's work, Art for Amnesty was officially founded in 2002 as the organization's global artist engagement program. The goal then and now is to bring together artists of all disciplines to provide creative support and advance human rights all over the world. Artists have a unique power to bring people together and to promote change.

"Artists, and their art, have always been at the core of what Amnesty International stands for -- freedom of expression -- and I'm thrilled to be reinvigorating this historical program," said Marvin Bing, Jr., the national director for Art for Amnesty USA. "There's nothing better than artists of conscience using their power, vision and passion to become advocates, defenders and campaigners for human rights causes around the globe. We're looking forward to working with artists of all genres to lift up stories of people behind the statistics and to support their struggles to claim their human rights."

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning global movement of more than 7 million people in over 190 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

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