Superstore DJs highlight human rights week

Local Amnesty International campaigners Camilla Kinchin and Alisdair MacDonald at Dalston Superstore, Saturday 17 October

On Saturday Dalston Superstore hosted the first of four nights in support of Amnesty International’s Protect the Human week.

Organised by Camilla Kinchin, 28, and Alisdair MacDonald, 31, the day-long roster of eats, events and DJs opened the week’s parties and other goings-on.

Kinchin and MacDonald say their priority for the nights isn’t fundraising, it’s building a profile with social groups that don’t find themselves exposed to Amnesty very often.

“Dalston has become a centre for young artistic creative people in London, and we’ve chosen the week’s venues and DJs to connect with different social areas and music tastes, to show that Amnesty is here in the scene, to let people know we’re here at a grass roots level,” said Alisdair.

“The DJs here support Amnesty as a cause. It’s not so much about raising money, as it is about getting Amnesty at these venues to raise awareness.”

Nevertheless, by 9pm the collection boxes at the bar were already heavy, and by the end of the day, cakes had been bought and scoffed and the Oxfam jukebox had entertained – it was a quid to plug in and play your song. After dark, DJs Toby Tobias, Big Daddy and Ian Robinson took up residence in the basement and played till 2am.

Protect the Human week is linked to Amnesty’s Dignity campaign, which takes a rights-based approach to tackling poverty, getting to the core human rights issues that are the cause and consequence of poverty.

Camilla said, “Amnesty doesn’t just give people money, it campaigns. We go to the root and ask how we can make a difference. Just by having this party we can introduce people to Amnesty, and they’ll go away with a better idea of what we do. People who don’t want to get involved in the heavier issues can still make a difference.”

There are two more events held by Camilla and Alisdair this week, and a host of lower key parties organised by others.

More information about official parties and actions here.