Canadian Artists Support Small Places

Small Places, "a cross-Canada and 'round the world arts jam with a call to action that celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights," has drawn a lot of support from Canadian musicians.

The three-month, Amnesty International-affiliated campaign will culminate on Dec. 10, which has been declared Human Rights Day.

"Small Places is a powerful and flexible way for musicians to use their artistic platform to help stop acts of torture and protect vulnerable communities and human rights leaders under threat," says Small Places liaison and Amnesty International Canada musician recruiter Tatiana Nemchin. "It's close to home, but global in scope, with musicians like The Edge, Michael Stipe, Mexican band Jaguares and many others participating in every corner of the world."

Each Small Places artist champions a community or individual whose human rights are under attack by calling on fans and friends to speak out and send appeals to governments.

Canadian acts who've taken up the cause include Broken Social Scene, Stars, David Usher, Wintersleep, Constantines, The Weakerthans, The Midway State, Jason Collett, The Waking Eyes, Land Of Talk, Catherine MacLellan, The D Rangers, Mardeen and Colin Linden. Public service announcements featuring many of the artists endorsing Small Places can be viewed here.

Montreal's Bad Flirt are the latest group to show their support, acting as spokespeople for Women Of Zimbabwe Arise.

"I first learned about WOZA at the Amnesty tent at Virgin Fest this summer," says Bad Flirt's Jasamine White-Gluz. "As a woman and an activist for women's rights, I was compelled by their bravery and determination and was horrified to hear about the abuse directed at the leaders of WOZA — Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu — and its members. Bad Flirt is happy to do everything possible to support Amnesty and this cause."

Petitions will be available for fans to sign at the Amnesty table at these Bad Flirt shows:

Nov. 30 Streetsville, ON @ Marcello's
Dec. 1 Hamilton, ON @ The Pepper Jack Café
Dec. 2 Toronto, ON @ The Silver Dollar Room
Dec. 3 Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox w/Receivers
Dec. 19 Montreal, QC @ Club Lambi w/Bang Camaro