AMNESTY REVEALS ONE OF THE FESTIVAL'S
STRONGEST LINE-UPS FOR WEDNESDAY COMEDY GIG
Amnesty International today revealed it's
near-complete line-up of great comedy names for the Stand Up For Freedom show at the Assembly Hall, at midnight on 19 August. One final, award-winning
special guest will still be announced on the night.
Triple Perrier nominee Dan Antopolski will
join Simon Amstell, Phil Nichol, Sarah Millican and John Bishop to make
a fantastic line-up. The event builds on the success of last year's Edinburgh
comedy shows and the massive Secret Policeman's Ball from the Royal Albert
Hall in 2008.
Amnesty International Scotland Director John
Watson said:
"Wednesday's gig must be one of the
best comedy line-ups at the festival, crammed full of award winners and
nominees. Add to that the atmosphere of a packed Assembly Hall at midnight
and it should make for a fantastic show.
"I'm always impressed by how many comedians
jump at the chance to perform at the Stand Up For Freedom shows. I think
the work we do to protect free speech around the world just strikes a nerve
with performers - they know that there's a direct connection with what
they do.
"There'll be chance for everyone at the
gig to take action for Binayak Sen, an Indian doctor facing a lifetime
in prison if he's convicted of the trumped-up charges against him. We believe
he's being persecuted because he spoke out against human rights abuses
committed by the local authorities.
"Wednesday is a great opportunity to get
people involved in our campaign for Binayak. But first and foremost, it
will be an amazing night out and one which will raise money for Amnesty's
work to protect freedom of expression wherever it's under threat."
Stand Up For Freedom is just one part of
a packed Edinburgh programme from Amnesty International this year, underlining
its long-term work with festival-goers to protect the right to freedom
of expression around the world.
This year Amnesty reinforces its Freedom
of Expression message at the Festival by campaigning for Dr Binayak Sen,
an Indian doctor facing trial on trumped-up charges that Amnesty believes
are a response to his activism, speaking out on behalf of the poor and
marginalised. If convicted he could face a life term in jail. Amnesty is
asking people to fill in one of its action cards or go to www.amnesty.org.uk/binayak-sen to send an appeal to the Indian authorities.
Campaigners will be out on Edinburgh's streets
this year with Amnesty's Protect the Human placards, asking festival-goers
to take their own stand for human rights by posing for a photo brandishing
an Amnesty banner. All the photos will be displayed on Amnesty's Flickr
stream.
Find out more about at www.amnesty.org.uk/edinburghfestivals
Some tickets for Stand Up For Freedom are
still available for the 19 August show, priced at £18.50 from http://edcomfest.com/
Last year's 2008 Stand Up For Freedom gigs
featured Ed Byrne, Andrew Maxwell, Rich Hall, Alun Cochrane, Hans Teeuwen,
Sarah Millican, Mark Watson, Reginald D Hunter and David O'Doherty.
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