Amnesty International has a proud history of working with musicians, actors, comedians and others in the artistic community. They have added their impassioned voices to those of millions of other Amnesty International members worldwide and used their skills and talents to spread the message. Art for Amnesty is a global project that brings together international artists of all disciplines their patrons, management and friends in a collaborative effort to support Amnesty International’s work for human rights.

Meryl Streep became a supporter of Amnesty International in the 1980s, joining their nationwide benefit concerts tour in 1986. “A Conspiracy of Hope” aimed to increase awareness of human rights and of Amnesty International’s work on its 25th anniversary. The tour spread information about Amnesty International to a new generation, inviting them to take action on behalf of prisoners of conscience. Some of the world’s leading rock artists gave two weeks of theirtime, at the height of the summer touring season, “A Conspiracy of Hope” featured U2, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Joan Baez, and the Neville Brothers. They travelled from west to east across the United States, joined en route by other performing arts stars. Meryl Streep and Anjelica Huston participated at the New York/New Jersey tour finale in Giants Stadium. To spread the word on “A Conspiracy of Hope”, Meryl hosted a Public Service Announcement for Amnesty International.

All dictators have fantasies that they can suffocate and divide people in their own country. We know that what they’re afraid of most is world opinion and criticism of their tyranny. Your efforts and prayers saved my life. And thanks to your support I can have an opportunity to live as a human being. A letter sent to us at Amnesty International by a released prisoner of conscience, the republic of Korea. Join us, you’ll never forget the first prisoner you free. (Meryl Streep, Amnesty International, 1986)

In 2003, Amnesty International selected “Stolen Childhoods”, a documentary narrated by Meryl Streep about the 215 million children for whom life is nothing but work, for its “On Campus” travelling film festival.