Everyone is invited to the second annual Jamnesty on April 13. The event, hosted by Amnesty International, STAND, and GLASS, is intended to raise the community’s awareness about human rights violations.

Social Studies teacher and STAND sponsor Matt Whipple is grateful in that it gives students a way to express their concerns through speaking, dancing, and music.

Whipple said, “Students don’t really have another outlet to express their frustrations with the world’s atrocities. Jamnesty gives those students the opportunity to voice their feelings on human rights issues.”

STAND President Robbie Dembo hopes that Jamnesty will attract more people for a larger-scale event. Social Studies teacher and Amnesty International sponsor Gerald Fogarty thinks that Dembo’s wishes may be fulfilled, as this year Jamnesty is not limited to GBS students; Glenbrook North, Deerfield, Maine East, Maine West, and Maine South students have been invited as well.

GLASS’s participation in the event coincides with the nationwide Day of Silence on April 18, in which students stay silent for the duration to express their concerns about intimidation that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people deal with daily. “Jamnesty is conveniently scheduled right before the Day of Silence. We just hope to use the day to promote that event and be supportive for the other clubs,” said GLASS sponsor Katy Hansen.

Hansen explained that GLASS has overlapping goals with Amnesty International, as equality for gays and lesbians is a part of Amnesty International’s broader scope for human rights. For GLASS, Jamnesty is about “combining fun with a message,” according to Hansen.

Last year Amnesty International hosted the event and invited STAND and GLASS to participate. Dembo explained that STAND collected donations and did a brief “die-in,” in which STAND members laid down as if they were dead. In addition, bands like Deep Six, Jam in Bb, and Afro Jam, and clubs like De La Cru and Juggling Club performed for the event. The event closed with a moment of silence. However, this year, GBN bands will play in addition to GBS ones. Bands are still in the process of auditioning.

Whipple explained, “STAND shares common ground with Amnesty International in trying to broaden understanding of human rights violations around the world. We hope to bring the Darfurians’ experience into the festival.”

All proceeds will go to human rights-related concerns.

Mike Anderson, assistant news editor