Images of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay in orange boiler suits, chained, and in cages has, over these last number of years, shocked the world and raised serious questions about the ‘war on terror’.
The conduct of the US military and administration and the abuse of human rights in Guantánamo Bay - where 250 boys and men continue to be imprisoned - has been a cause of concern and focus for Amnesty International. Its Galway branch will continue the highlighting of this issue with an open air street concert - with a visual twist.
On Saturday November 8 at 2.30pm, beside the Shop Street entrance to the Saturday market at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway based bands and musicians will be performing live - dressed in the Guantánamo orange boiler suits and in a cage supplied by Macnas.
The musicians taking part will be trad bands The Rye and Dusty Banjos, singer-songwriters Sharon Murphy and Nicole Blue, as well as Martina Flaherty, Jackhammer Purr, and Ivan Murray.
Local Amnesty International activists will also take part in the demonstration asking for help from members of the public to shut down Guantánamo Bay and to end Ireland’s role as a staging post in the practice of rendition.
Amnesty International is also marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the Small Places Tour - a series of concerts and gigs by musicians all over the world who are dedicating their time and talent to raise awareness about human rights.
The Small Places Tour will take in Galway when the brilliant Cathy Davey plays the Róisín Dubh on Tuesday November 11 at 9pm. Tickets for this show are available from the Róisín Dubh and Zhivago.
For more information go to www.amnesty.ie and www.smallplacestour.info/site
