How can Art be a powerful means of change?

Though it was long considered as mere vandalism, graffiti art has now acquired a solid reputation on
the market of art. While many continue to work anonymously under pseudonyms, like Banksy,
Ronzo, C215, or Invader, other street artists have come out of the shadow and are
sometimes commissioned to paint the façades of buildings. Their work adds incredible value to those
buildings, even to whole districts, which results in their gentrification. This phenomenon occurs when
the value of dilapidated buildings and under-privileged neighbourhoods suddenly rises, driving poor
residents out of their homes, while middle-class or well-off people replace them.

- Images films can be used as propaganda in order to promote a political cause or point of
view. (URSS using posters to promote communism... or also Stakhanovism..)
– Poems, songs or even paintings can be used in order to convey a message or to denounce
an issue (jean de la fontaine’s writings , Jacques brel’s songs...)

What is Amnesty international? What is it for?

Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is a non-governmental

organization with its headquarters in the United Kingdom focused on human rights. The
organization says it has more than seven million members and supporters around the world.
Amnesty International was founded in London in 1961 by the lawyer Peter Benenson.
Amnesty draws attention to human rights abuses and campaigns for compliance
with international laws and standards. It works to mobilize public opinion to generate
pressure on governments where abuse takes place. We are independent of any political
ideology, economic interest or religion. No government is beyond scrutiny. No situation is
beyond hope. Through their detailed research and determined campaigning, they help fight
abuses of children woman minorities and indigenous’ fundamental rights worldwide. They
bring torturers to justice. Change oppressive laws. And free people jailed just for voicing
their opinion.

This document is a reportage realised by Amnesty International. Its main idea is how words can can
be powerful. The narrator first affirms the fact that words can do anything from call in a dog at night
or bringing comfort to an old friend. However sometimes, they can be source of trouble and conflict.
As an example, the human activist in Zimbabwe who was kidnapped for standing up to government
corruption , or also the Chinese journalist who was sentenced for 10 years of prison for sending an
email. Moreover, thousands of men and women in Iran were arrested and tortured just for
demanding fair elections. As a conclusion, listeners are encouraged to use words in writing letters,
speaking out, in order to demand justice, take stand and offer hope to all people all around the world
who were silenced simply for speaking their mind.