Get on the Bus for Human Rights (GOTB) is an annual day of human rights activism and education organized by Amnesty International Group 133 of Somerville, MA and a dedicated team of volunteer community organizers. Now in its fourteenth year, GOTB brings activists from through out the Northeast – riding buses, commuter trains and in carpools - down to New York City to take peaceful action in front of embassies, consulates and corporate headquarters in support of human rights.

We are students and activists who embody a keystone of Amnesty International's mission to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave human rights abuses. On Friday, April 16th, we'll spend the morning learning from a speakers panel comprised of experts, survivors, and people immediately impacted by human rights violations. They will provide us with a greater understanding of the issues for which we'll be demonstrating in the afternoon.

In 2010, we will celebrate 15 years of supporting human rights. We will again call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners in Burma. We'll urge the Sri Lankan government to strike down the conviction of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam and grant him an unconditional release. We will demand the immediate and unconditional release of Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen. And stand in solidarity as a voice for Justine Masika Bihamba and other women fighting to protect themselves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More information will be forthcoming on our Actions page. These are all peaceful and permitted events, and police will be present to ensure we have the greatest possible security while in New York City.

Registration
Please register your group today by visiting our Register Online page. This year we will offer a discounted pre-registration fee of $10 until Monday, April 12th, after which the fee will increase to $12. All participants must register. Registration fees help to cover the costs of renting the venue for our speakers panel, printing background materials and letter-writing actions, posters distributed during the rallies, and permit fees to the New York City police.

Get on the Bus!
With groups traveling from areas throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic, we recognize that one of the biggest challenges is getting your members to and from GOTB. Please see our Getting to NYC resource page for information on buses leaving from your area and tips on how to organize your own transportation. If you plan to ride one of the buses, take note of the bus registration deadlines and fees, which are in addition to the GOTB event registration. If you still have questions pertaining to transportation, feel free to contact us at gotb@amnesty133.org and we'll do our best to help.

Step into the Driver’s Seat
GOTB represents the spirit of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) grassroots activism. It is the largest volunteer-run Amnesty International event in the country. What began as a day trip by 35 members of Group 133 has grown into event that draws upwards of 1,200 participants. Over the past few years, the GOTB coordinating team has evolved to include student leaders, members of AIUSA chapters and local community coalitions. Our continued success comes from our strength in numbers - on the day of the event - but also from the outstanding leadership of a handful of regional volunteers.

We rely on you to keep GOTB on the road. Wanna do more? If you'd like to step into the driver's seat, drop us an email at gotbvolunteer@amnesty133.org

Be inspired!
Don't forget to check out our History/About GOTB page with a scrapbook of prior years' events, archived photos, music, quotes, and articles to get a sense of the amazing things we've accomplished together over the years. We're creating new history too! Friend us on Facebook or subscribe to the GOTB Blog.

If you have any questions not addressed on this website, please contact us at gotb@amnesty133.org and we'll be in touch shortly. Be sure to keep an eye on the website for periodic updates, and we'll look forward to seeing you in NYC!

~ The GOTB Coordinating Team