Blondie, Yoko Ono and Bob Geldof Join Amnesty International Concert
Peter Gabriel and Sting will be delivering pre-taped messages at the concert
rollingstone.com – 30th January 2014
By Kory Grow
Blondie and Bob Geldof have joined the packed lineup of performers at Amnesty International’s Bringing Human Rights Home concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center next month. Additionally, the human rights organization announced today that Susan Sarandon would host the event and that Yoko Ono, who is promising “some surprises,” will make an appearance. Peter Gabriel and Sting will deliver pre-taped video messages about activism.
How Amnesty International Rocked the World: The Inside Story
“More than 30 years ago, we loosened apartheid’s grip by taking to the stage for the first round of Amnesty International human rights concerts,” Sting said in a statement. “There’s still a lot of work to be done and Amnesty International is the right place to start.”
“Nowadays, with so much technology at our fingertips, we can break down prison walls with the click of a mouse if we work together,” Sarandon said. “The Bringing Human Rights Home concert will mark the beginning of a new movement and if you believe your rights are worth defending, I encourage you to be there.”
Yesterday, Amnesty confirmed one of those surprised that had been floating around as a rumor: Madonna would indeed be introducing the recently freed members of Pussy Riot. The Russian punks will be speaking out on “prisoners of conscience” – people who have been jailed for their convictions, gender or sexual orientation.
The concert continues Amnesty’s tradition of star-heavy lineups and features performances by Flaming Lips, Lauryn Hill, Imagine Dragons, Tegan and Sara and more. It will take place on February 5th.
