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Sudan Freedom Walk Finishes with a Rally at the U.S. Capitol

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Activists in the 250-mile Sudan Freedom Walk arrived at the steps of the U.S. Capitol yesterday.  Welcoming them were a cheering crowd, reporters, musicians, and a speaking program led by Simon Deng and Dr Adam Abdel Gabar, the Sudan Freedom Walk organizers.


Speakers call for U.S. Leadership in Sudan (Photo: Martha Bixby, Save Darfur Coalition)

The welcome rally featured a webcast viewed by several hundred activists nationwide, a performance by Emmanuel Jal, music by Kevin Skolnick and Aaron Shneyer, and speeches by Simon Deng, Dr. Adam Abdel Gabar, Mark Feinman, Joe Madison, Rev. Jim Lafferty, Gloria White-Hammond, Tom Prichard, Michael Lupai, Niemat Ahmadi, Tragi Mustafa, Amin Ismail, Ahmat Nour, Mohamed Yahya, Charles Jacobs, Khalid Gerais, Faith McDonnell, and Erjok Mayor.

Although the speakers had many messages, several points were frequently emphasized and repeated.  Foremost was a call on President Obama and Congress to do more for the Sudanese people who have suffered for decades.  The speakers repeatedly thanked the American people and government for standing by South Sudan and Darfur in the past.  But they also pleaded with the U.S. not to abandon the Sudanese people in this time of great need, with a referendum on independence approaching quickly and the potential of renewed war on the horizon. (more…)

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Live Webcast of Sudan Freedom Walk Rally + performance by Emmanuel Jal

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Please join us on Thursday, October 7th, for the closing rally of the Sudan Freedom Walk at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.  The Sudan Freedom Walk, started in New York, ends here in Washington, D.C. after 250 miles.  The walk called for democracy and freedom from genocide and slavery in Sudan.

You are invited to join the rally featuring remarks from activists Simon Deng, Dr. Abdel Gabar Adam,  and other Sudanese community leaders. Afterward, Sudanese musician Emmanuel Jal will entertain the crowd with his unique brand of hip hop layered with African beats.

When: October 7th, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Can’t attend in person?  Watch the rally here.

[Rally feed will be live from 1p.m. to 3p.m. Eastern Time]

If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can visit our uStream channel.

Read below words from Simon Deng and Dr. Adam about why they walk tirelessly in the Sudan Freedom Walk, and read more about the walk on our blog.

Simon Deng: “The duty of preventing war and ending conflicts and human rights abuses lies in the hands of the Obama Administration.” We as Americans have a moral obligation to defend freedom when it is being threatened. And peace in Sudan is the legacy of the United States government and the American people.

When I envisioned the Sudan Freedom Walk, I could’ve called it Southern Sudan Freedom Walk. But I look at Sudan and I see that what happened to me happened in the Nuba Mountains. What happened in the Nuba Mountains is happening in Darfur.  The people of Sudan have been walking away from violence for decades. The people of South Sudan are now walking the road to freedom – through the referendum in January.  The people of Southern Sudan don’t want to go back into the dark place. They want freedom now.

The kids from Darfur walked for miles and miles.  The women shed countless tears.  Each of them walked for one thing- Freedom.  Their God-given rights have been taken away.  I was a position where I could not say no.  I was in a position only to say yes.  How can I talk about what happened to me without talking about what happened to the others?  I decided to be the voice of the voiceless, speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.  I have to walk on behalf of those who cannot walk.  I am a free man living in a free nation.  I can walk freely, and I did, day and night.  I feel pain, but I am so happy since I am living free.

The time has come for the Obama Administration to give crisis in Sudan even 5 minutes of Obama’s own time. The President must defuse and dismantle the situation in South Sudan, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called a ‘ticking time bomb,’ before that bomb kills one more human being on the top of the millions that have already been killed.”

Dr. Adam:

“Refugees in Sudan are tired of conferences and speeches around the world.  We need action from the United States government and action from the world community.  We need comprehensive peace for all of Sudan – a lasting peace that is inclusive of all the marginalized people.

The time is now to save lives, before another war and ethnic cleansing breaks out in Sudan. I joined this walk because killings continue in Darfur and the insecurity in the IDP and refugee camps need to be stopped. The people of Darfur and of South Sudan stand together for peace and freedom.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’.” 

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September 19, 2010: Global Day for Sudan

Friday, October 1st, 2010

This post was co-authored by Hannah Woit and Ariana Harner.

Thousands of activists in 14 countries around the world and in New York, LA, and Washington, DC gathered on September 19th for a global day of action for Sudan.  Activists urged world leaders to support a timely, free and fair execution of the referendum scheduled for January 2011 in accordance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and sent a powerful signal to the international community that people care about ensuring a peaceful future for Sudan.

New York:

The activities in New York began with a viewing and discussion of “Darfurian Voices,” a project by 24 Hours for Darfur documenting interviews with Darfuris in refugee camps.

Viewing "Darfurian Voices" / Photo by Martha Bixby

Discussing "Darfurian Voices" / Photo by Martha Bixby

We then rallied in front of the UN headquarters alongside Darfuris and Southern Sudanese who had traveled to New York from all over the east coast to challenge President Obama and other leaders at the U.N. General Assembly to take responsibility for ensuring justice and respect for human rights in Sudan.

Rallying at the United Nations / Photo by Martha Bixby

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Activists and Sudanese diaspora members then moved onto Lincoln Center to participate in Stand Up Against Poverty, an event aimed at calling attention to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals. The concluding portion focused on Sudan and featured dancing and music, which drew quite a crowd!

Sudanese dancers at Stand Up / Photo by Martha Bixby

Sudanese musicians / Photo by Martha Bixby

(more…)

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Updates: Creative Community

Friday, September 17th, 2010

I-ACT’s “MY HOME” exhibit:

In 2008, members of I-ACT traveled to camps in Darfur with some special messages for the children there. A group of American elementary school students had drawn messages of hope and peace to show the children of Darfur how much they cared about them. Upon seeing these, some of the Darfuri children began drawing their own messages, which tell their stories of being forced from their homes and villages. I-ACT collected these drawings and brought them back to the United States. They are now part of I-ACT’s multimedia exhibit entitled “MY HOME: A Walk Through Children’s Memories of Darfur”.  MY HOME will launch in Los Angeles on September 19th as part of the Global Day for Sudan event, co-sponsored by I-ACT and Jewish World Watch.

To find out more about the exhibit and the launch event visit the MY HOME page on our Creative Community.

Mitch Lewis’ Darfur Legacy

Mitch has shared the images of a few of his recently completed pieces from his Darfur Legacy collection. This summer, the works in this collection were featured in an art show about Darfur, held at the Bank of the Arts Gallery in New Bern, North Carolina. We were pleased to honor Mitch at the opening reception of the exhibit by presenting him with our Darfur Hero award for July 2010.  In addition to the new photos, we have also uploaded a new video featuring an interview with Mitch and footage from the Darfur Legacy exhibit.

To see Mitch’s new sculptures visit his creative Community page.

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Former Sudanese Slave, Darfur Activists Walk for Freedom

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

“The whole world is talking about Sudan. But nothing gets done. Just talk, talk, talk. Why not walk the walk?” asked former Sudanese slave Simon Deng.  The question summarizes his rationale for founding and organizing the Sudan Freedom Walk.  In 2006, Simon and 100 supporters walked over 250 miles from the United Nations headquarters in New York City to Capitol Hill in Washington DC, a feat which elicited results for the ongoing crisis in Sudan and drew attention to Sudan’s slave trade and the genocide in Darfur.

The first Sudan Freedom Walk served as Simon’s personal protest against crimes against humanity in Sudan and helped to raise awareness about Sudan’s continuing violence.  The historic walk helped achieve passage of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which expanded peacekeeping forces and pressed for sanctions against Sudan for violating its citizen’s rights.  Simon and his supporters also drew large crowds throughout their journey, gained support and attention from political figures and high-profile individuals, and brought the formerly overlooked crisis to the public’s attention.

Sudan Freedom Walk 2006

2006 Freedom Walkers, courtesy of iabolish.org

The 2006 walk achieved such significant results that Simon Deng and the Philadelphia-based Darfur Human Rights Organization of the USA (DHRO) organized another freedom walk (the fourth so far) to take place from September 15th to October 7th.  Walkers will trek the same arduous 250-mile path from NYC to DC in hopes of drawing public and media attention, fighting atrocities and bringing democracy and peace to Sudan.

(more…)

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September 19: Global Day of Action for Sudan

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

When the 65th session of the UN General Assembly opens in September, less than 4 months will remain until the January referendum on southern secession in Sudan.  September’s gathering is the last time international leaders will convene on this scale before the referendum vote occurs.

Therefore, the Sudan365 group has declared September 19th to be a Global Day for Sudan.  Activists around the world will hold a series of activities including joint letters, coordinated lobbying, and public events targeting each CPA Guarantor in its own country on the 19th.

In the United States, the following events will take place.  Hosting an event of your own?  Let us know.
Los Angeles, CA — Global Day of Action for Sudan & launch of MY HOME exhibit

New York City — Protest at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza & Stand Up Against Poverty event

Protest at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

  • Location: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, E 47th St & 1st Avenue
  • Time: 2 – 3 pm

Stand Up Against Poverty

  • Location: Josie Robertson Plaza (Lincoln Center) – at Broadway & Columbus, between W. 65 & W. 66 Streets
  • Time: Noon – 4 pm.  Sudan focus at 3:30 pm.

Washington, DC — Vigil at Sudanese Embassy

  • Location: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
  • Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm

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Road Trip: Activist Edition

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Genocide prevention and intervention are difficult fields to work in. Every day is a challenge filled with depressing news and little public attention. Conflicts in places like Sudan and the Congo are often exempt from newspapers or news shows, resulting in a general public which knows or understands little about these grave issues. For 15 cities in Colorado, that is about to change.

Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action

The Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action is taking matters into its own hands. This organization is on a mission to “challenge our society to end complacency towards and raise awareness of genocides past and present and take action to stop genocides present and future”.  To accomplish this goal the CCGAA has launched a vigorous new campaign, Ride Against Genocide. Activists, Sudanese refugees, press, a filmmaker, and even Olympic torchbearer Essie Garrett will travel in a van, displaying an exhibit on genocide around Colorado. The trip will cover over 1500 miles in just four days. Information regarding genocide, how individuals can take action, and other pieces of literature will be distributed at each stop the van makes. Media attention will be attracted and public knowledge will be expanded.

Activism will reach new heights from August 30th to September 2 in the Centennial State as the CCGAA’s new trip brings education and awareness.  The Ride Against Genocide will bring many face to face with some of the harshest realities of the world we live in, but more importantly it will also inform individuals how to get involved and make the phrase “Never Again” a reality. The road trip is not just a, “Ride Against Genocide” but a ride towards genocide prevention as well.  A whole state is about to rally around the flag of justice, slowly unfurling as the wheels of a van spin towards peace.

For further information regarding the Ride Against Genocide and to track its tour, please visit CCGAA’s blog.

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Spirited Rally At The White House

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Dark ominous clouds hung over Lafayette Square. The winds that travel through the sky brought rain, light but persistent rain. The winds carried with them something more invigorating as well. “STOP GENOCIDE IN DARFUR”, “al-BASHIR TO THE ICC”, and “JUSTICE FOR SUDAN” were just some of the spirited chants that echoed across the plaza. Members from Sudanese Voices for Freedom, The Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee of America, Africa Action, Save Darfur, and other organizations gathered in support of the ICC’s most recent arrest warrant against Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir.

Rally at the White House

Picture taken by Mark Lotwis at rally in front of the White House on July 14, 2010.

The rally participants also called on President Obama to fulfill his campaign promises to the people of Darfur. Rain, humidity, and even the occasional water-soaked sign could not dissuade this devoted assembly from having their voices heard. And heard they were, al Jazeera interviewed a few spirited supporters as did a reporter for NPR. Tourists and visitors in the area witnessed a classic spectacle of activist speaking their minds, and many were moved to sign Save Darfur petitions. With the stroke of a pen, ordinary people from Springfield Massachusetts, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and even Ghana committed their support to the people of Darfur. Small in number, but large in determination, the spirited rally of grassroots activists on a hot, muggy, and rainy Wednesday afternoon is a testament to the fortitude that these groups posses.

Honor these hard workers: Send a message to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton TODAY. Every message matters, every message is needed. ACT NOW!

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Fifteen Years Later: Forward or Backward in the Balkans?

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial and Cemetery for the Victims of the 1995 Genocide

How does a society go about rebuilding itself after instances of genocide and crimes against humanity? What results might we expect these efforts to have produced fifteen years after the fact? What can the international community do to prevent such atrocities from reoccurring there or elsewhere to uphold its promise of “Never Again”?

On Thursday July 15th at 2 p.m., the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will host a conference entitled, “Fifteen Years Later: Forward or Backward in the Balkans?” in the Helena Rubinstein Auditorium at the USHMM. The event will touch on American and European Union involvement in the region in light of the fifteenth anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica and the impending Bosnian national elections.

The conference will begin with keynotes from USHMM Director Sara Bloomfield and NED President Carl Gershman and then explore the issue in depth with two panels. The first will focus on “Fact-Finding, Truth-Telling, and Memorialization” and will include insight from Nataša Kandić, Director of the Humanitarian Law Center, Srebrenica survivor Emir Suljagić, and Anisa Sućeska-Vekić, Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.

The second panel will then turn to  the “International Engagement and the Future for the Region” with input from Kurt Bassuener, Senior Associate at the Democratization Policy Council, Douglas Davidson, Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues at the U.S. Department of State, and Her Excellency Renée Jones-Bos, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the United States. Raffi Gregorian of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina has also been invited to participate in this second panel.

The discussion will conclude with a keynote from Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. A reception will close the event.

If you are interested in attending to learn more about the current state of affairs in the Balkans, RSVP by July 12th to genocideprevention@ushmm.org with your name and organization.

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Remembering the Plight of Sudan’s Survivors on World Refugee Day

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Originally posted at Enough Said.

Worldwide, 41.2 million people have been forced from their homes by conflict. Over 5 million of those people are from Sudan.

Millions of Sudanese still live in camps in Sudan or just across the border in Chad, Kenya, and other neighboring countries. But it’s estimated that since 1975, over 22,000 Sudanese have joined the approximately 2.5 million refugees from all over the world who live in the United States.

For years, activists – Sudanese and American – have advocated for peace in Sudan. This year, in honor of World Refugee Day, members of the Sudan advocacy community will sit down and share a meal together, to spend time learning about each other through conversation and food.

Join the Genocide Intervention Network and the Save Darfur Coalition on or around World Refugee Day this Sunday, June 20, to meet with members of the Sudanese diaspora, refugees, and activists who live in your community. There are already more than 80 meet-ups organized around the world.

Come together for a meal and share your stories. Learn what you can do together to advocate to improve the conditions in which many refugee communities live.

(more…)

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