U2 On The Conspiracy Of Hope Tour For Amnesty International

Six concerts in 12 days, crossing the U.S. from San Francisco to New York. The Conspiracy of Hope tour was a celebration of Amnesty International’s 25th anniversary, but it was so much more: It was Amnesty’s biggest and boldest attempt to enter the American consciousness.

It worked.

The tour nearly tripled Amnesty USA’s membership in a matter of weeks, and it raised $3 million for the organization’s coffers — an amount equal to their entire yearly budget.

For U2, the tour was more than a chance to support an organization important to the band; it was also their chance to cement the band’s post-Live Aid status as a major stadium act, and set the stage for The Joshua Tree less than a year later.

News 

June 04, 2006 – @U2 – It Was 20 Years Ago Today: Remembering the Conspiracy of Hope Tour
August 01, 1986 – Propaganda, Issue 3 – Hope on the Road: Amnesty Tour Diary
August 01, 1986 – Propaganda, Issue 3 – Hope on the Road: Edge and Adam Interview
June 22, 1986 – The Los Angeles Times – Amnesty Tour: Keeping the Doors Open
June 16, 1986 – The Washington Post – Pop, Politics and a Day in the Sun Raising Voices for Amnesty International
June 16, 1986 – The Record – A Soul-Stirring Call For Amnesty
June 16, 1986 – The New York Times – Amnesty Concert in Jersey
June 15, 1986 – The Chicago Tribune – If Music was the Message, Amnesty Got its Across Loud and Clear
June 09, 1986 – The San Diego Tribune – Amnesty Concert Educational, Too
October 24, 1985 – Rolling Stone – U2 to Help Amnesty International Celebrate Birthday