Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Attends the Violence Against Women Conference

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended Saturday’s Violence Against Women panel discussion, one of the many events that took place during the 1st Annual Amnesty International Human Rights Arts Festival this past weekend, April 23-25 throughout the Silver Spring downtown area. This discussion took place at the City Place Theater from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and was attended by people interested in learning from others who have found different and creative ways to move from victim to survivor to thriver.

Councilmember Trachtenberg was introduced by artist Tom Block, the Founder of this First Annual Amnesty International Human Rights Arts Festival. Councilmember Trachtenberg welcomed everyone to the county and talked about the establishment of the Family Justice Center here in Montgomery County to help families escape domestic violence and how wide-spread this problem is, regardless of where people come from in the society. She said that all of us, at the very least know a woman dealing with this situation.

The panel was made up of women from all over the world who have established various groups and are using their talents and personal experiences to help others dealing with this personal horror through painting, writing, singing and filmmaking. The program was moderated by Robina Niaz, M.S., MSW, Founder and Director of Turning Point.

For more information:
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/FJC
http://www.turningpoint-ny.org/
http://www.couragenetwork.com/
http://www.pavingtheway.net/
http://www.thegoodmother.org/
http://www.beavoicearts.com/
http://www.theredcollaborative.org/.

Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival Kicks Off

The first ever Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival, a unique celebration promoting the arts and human rights, is being held throughout downtown Silver Spring, Maryland April 23-25. The festival will present over 400 artists and performers and more than 200 arts and advocacy events at 40 venues in downtown Silver Spring. The activities will begin at 4 pm today, and run through late night on Sunday, April 25. All events will be free and open to the public.

The springtime festival will include art exhibits, film, theater, dance, music, poetry, photography, digital arts and a sculpture garden as well as dozens of workshops, book readings, performance art, a flash mob dance and activities for children. A dozen advocacy groups will also be running “Festivals within the Festival.”

Councilmember Trachtenberg is a member of the Honorary Committee.  She will participate in the Violence Against Women Conference, one of the "festivals within the festival," Saturday morning in the City Place Mall.

Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival, April 23-25, 2010 in Silver Spring

Here’s some information about an international event that will be held in downtown Silver Spring on April 23-25—the first ever Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival! The festival will feature over 400 artists, from 50 nations, bringing over 200 events to over 40 venues.

The festival will engage the audience on human rights issues and the advocacy work that Amnesty International undertakes. Events will include visual art shows, new media events, performance art, spoken word, theater, book readings, panel discussions, film, music, dance, hands-on workshops, art walks from exhibit to exhibit, participatory parades, international foods, and more.

For more information, visit the website at http://www.humanrightsartfestival.com./

Check it out on Facebook.

Follow it on Twitter: http://twitter.com/HRartsfest.