Passers-by didn’t know what was happening. A helicopter was parked in the middle of the street, one block away from the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
What seemed like a wrong turn was actually a direct message to world leaders. As the U.N. Security Council debated its hybrid peacekeeping mission to Darfur, activists brought this helicopter one block away to deliver a strong message to the world’s leading nations: “Fulfill your promise to Darfur.”
 Jerry Fowler, Save Darfur Coalition president, holds a petition to the U.N. Security Council with more than 55,000 signatures urging world leaders to “fulfill their promise to Darfur.” Behind Fowler is a helicopter — a symbol of the world’s failure to supply critical helicopters and equipment so desperately needed by the UNAMID peacekeeping mission. |
The helicopter event coincided with a new report, endorsed by 36 human rights groups and non-governmental organizations around the world, which highlights the key nations capable of supplying helicopters so critically needed for the Darfur peacekeeping mission. According to the report, many air assets that could prove useful to the mission are collecting dust in hangars or performing in air shows around the world.
In addition to the helicopter, Save Darfur Coalition president Jerry Fowler delivered petitions, signed by more than 50,000 activists, urging the U.N. Security Council permanent five members to match their words on Darfur with meaningful action.
 Jerry Fowler, Save Darfur Coalition president, looks on as Darfur native and Coalition board member, Dr. Mahmoud Braima, speaks about the crisis in Darfur. |
Thomas Withington, author of the helicopter report and an international aviation expert, said peacekeepers in Darfur continue to be at risk, because the proper airlift assets have not been provided. He said the lack of adequate helicopters lowers survival rates from injuries and diminishes the peacekeepers’ agility in responding to urgent crises throughout the western region of Sudan. Dr. Mahmoud Braima, Coalition board member and Darfur native, said the lack of helicopters has real-life implications for not only the peacekeepers, but also the civilians who continue to suffer violence.
 Standing before the helicopter are (l. to r.) Dr. Braima, Thomas Withington, report author and aviation expert, and Jerry Fowler. |
U.N. officials weren’t the only ones who took notice. Passing pedestrians took pictures in front of the aircraft. One woman, out on her lunch break, just shook her head. “A tragedy,” she said. “They just keep issuing memos and passing resolutions. When will they do something?”
When, indeed.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
dglickd says:
Hello –
(email) August 4, 2008 — Posted, July 25, 2008 — Keith Sharon — The Orange County Register: “Olympic basketball team avoids topics such as human rights violations in Darfur”:
The Olympics is the world’s biggest stage for athletes. It can be for politics as well.
Yet several members of Team USA said they will try to keep the two separate when they arrive in Beijing,
where China’s policy on human rights is expected to play a prominent role.
“We’re coming to play basketball,” LeBron James said.
Staying mum on the issue will be difficult considering they figure to be among the most heavily publicized athletes at the Games
China’s crackdown on Tibet and
its continued economic support of Sudan, where thousands of people have been killed in the Darfur region
NBA commissioner David Stern, though, has encouraged the team to speak out if they want. Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, agreed “We’re not putting the muzzle on anyone.”.
“I say, ‘Be your own person,’” Colangelo said. “One might say, ‘Well, I’m here to play basketball and the Olympics are about sport.
The Olympics are about bringing countries together.’
But if you’re heart is telling you to say something different than that then be your own person.
Kobe Bryant’s plan on dealing with the political issues is simple.
“Don’t say anything stupid,” he said. “Our focus is to play basketball, that’s what we’re there for, that’s what we do best.
“We’re not politicians or government officials. We play the game, and we’re going to go over there and do that.”
Sports and politics long have collided, especially at the Olympics.
In 1936, Germany used the torch relay to spread propaganda.
This year, the torch run has been besieged by protests around the world.
The United States boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow for political reasons.
Four years later, the Soviet Union stayed away from Los Angeles.
planning to attend the opening ceremony in Beijing is President Bush — staying home
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and
Britain’s Prince Charles said
Team USA men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski said the basketball players should feel free to speak out about any situation.
“Our country allows you to do that (speak out),” Krzyzewski said.
“The fact is we look at the Olympics as sport, not a political forum.
But that doesn’t mean our guys don’t have the right to speak out about any issue.
That’s what makes our place a pretty nice place to live.”
Many players have filmed public service ads appealing for Sudan to end the slaughter of the people in the Darfur region.
China is a trading partner with Sudan and a major supplier of weapons.
Still, some players are reluctant to let politics interfere with their mission to bring back a gold medal. Dwyane Wade said
“It’s not about us making a stand or taking a position.
It’s about us playing our position,” .
“It’s not our home.
We are going to go over there and respect China.
This is a business trip for us.
We’ll let the politics take care of itself.
“There might be some people that get into it, but that’s not my focus.
I’m focusing on basketball.”
So Kobe Bryant — Filmed support of Condemnation of Sudan Government regarding Genocide in Darfur — Now — In China — “It was only important — Yesterday — Not Today!” Shame! What’s the “Chinese Reality!” “Step out of line and it’s Death!”
So things have been “Softened in China?” This — and the International Olympic Committee ‘hypocrisy’ is confirmed — Turning the Beijing Olympics into something as bad as that in Berlin in 1936! Going to the Chinese Olympics is part of the Bush legacy — whatever he might do when in Beijing — shame on him, the International Olympic Committee, the U. S. and all nations Olympic Committees, NBC and other TV networks attending the Olympics and the “Advertisers Connected to the Olympics” — Stop the Chinese Olympics — It’s the right thing to do! But — “It’s only a News = Noise Event!”
bobshmob says:
I think it’s incredibly selfish and naive to use the Olympics as a tool for political leverage. The Olympics have absolutely nothing to do with politics, and nothing to do with what is going on in Darfur. To think this way is much like thinking that boycotting McDonalds cheeseburgers is going to lower gas prices. It’s stupid and makes no sense whatsoever.
The fact is, they Olympics represent the highest level of athletic achievement. Athletes often spend their entire lives devoting themselves to their sport with unwavering strength and dedication so that they can compete in these Games. To take away the moment that they work so hard and so long is not only a tradgedy, it’s just plain cruel.
Don’t understand me wrong. I fully support the campaign to end the violence in Darfur and have committed both time and money extensively to that cause. But to all those who wish to boycott the Olympics, I have but one thing to say: shame on you. While countless innocents continure to die in Darfur, you are wasting your time when you could be doing something that might actually make a difference. Think about it.
Sarosh Syed says:
Just for clarification, the Save Darfur Coalition has never called for or supported an Olympic boycott.
We support the athletes aspirations. One of our closest partner organizations is Team Darfur, a coalition of athletes who *are* competing in the Beijing Olympics and are using the opportunity to raise awareness about Darfur. You can read about Team Darfur at http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/07/18/introducing-team-darfur/
Sarosh Syed says:
You can also read a memo to journalists we sent last year clarifying that we are *not* calling for an Olympic boycott:
http://www.savedarfur.org/newsroom/releases/setting_the_record_straight_there_is_no_call_for_an_olympic_boycott/