Posts Tagged action

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Pittsburgh Rallies for Darfur

Monday, September 14th, 2009

The Pittsburgh Darfur activist community led by David Rosenberg gathered on the steps of city hall to again call for peace in Sudan and hold accountable perpetuators of injustice. City, county, state, and national leaders came with open arms to receive the over 15,000 postcard petitions signed by local concerned citizens pulled from a variety of places including schools, churches, synagogues, and coalition partners.

Political leaders conveyed their shared sentiments about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and Southern Sudan. City Councilman William Peduto announced the City of Pittsburgh’s proclamation honoring the newly resettled Darfuris and “encouraged President Barack Obama to use his influence and that of the United States as head of the UN Security Council to work to finally achieve a solution to the problems of both Darfur and south Sudan.”

More importantly taking the stage were Darfuri refugees from across the nation. In solidarity, Southern Sudanese joined Darfuris in their call for an end to the crisis and issued a joint statement asking world leaders to hold Bashir and the NCP accountable, which have inflicted countless acts of unspeakable horror against their friends and families.

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Saving Lives – Sudanese demonstrate at the White House

Monday, May 25th, 2009

On Friday, Sudanese from across the US came together to demonstrate in front of the White House.  Check out a slideshow of photos from the event.

ABC news covered the event:

On Friday, a small group of Sudanese immigrants gathered in front of the White House to express their disappointment in Obama for not being active enough on Darfur from the outset of his presidency.

“I voted for him,” said protestor William Deng, of the Southern Sudan Project. “And I did it because I knew he was going to do something about Darfur. But now he’s silent, he’s never done anything. And I feel, I regret that he doesn’t do anything about our issues.”

At the event we delivered over 86,000 signatures to the citizen open letter to President Obama.  A member of the Administration came out to accept the signatures and hear from the group.

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Stand with the Sudanese Community

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

As you know, the situation in Darfur today is gravely dangerous.  On March 4 of this year, the Sudanese government expelled 13 international organizations and closed 3 national organizations that have been working to save the lives of Darfuris during this long crisis.

The expulsion of theses NGOs has left more than 1 million of the most helpless people at “high risk” according to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In various camps and communities across Darfur, water is scarce, food supplies are low, and the potential spread of diseases puts the lives of many in peril.  Meningitis has already spread throughout some of Darfur’s largest camps for internally displaced persons, including Kalma and Kassab camps. With the expulsion of the NGOs, there is now a severely reduced chance for vaccination to prevent further spread of this deadly disease, or the administration of emergency antibiotics to treat it.  Malnutrition, lack of clean water, and lack of medical care could devastate thousands of civilians in the near future, especially children dependent on nutrient-rich therapeutic and supplementary food previously provided by the expelled NGOs. The direct result of the Sudanese government’s cruel measures could be a dramatic increase in the mortality and morbidity rates among the war-affected civilians in the coming weeks and months.
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Members of Congress, Darfur Activists Protest at Sudanese Embassy

Monday, April 27th, 2009

This morning, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA), John Lewis (D-GA), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and activists Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler, Enough Project co-founder John Prendergast and Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism were arrested for civil disobedience outside of the Sudanese Embassy while protesting the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

The AP quotes Representative Ellison:

Ellison says it is wrong to deny aid to what he calls “the most vulnerable people on our planet.”

The Washington Post quotes Representative Edwards:

“I thought it was pretty important to join with my colleagues in saying this is not acceptable in a civil society,” Edwards said in an interview following her release. “These are issues I’ve cared about for a long time, long before I came into Congress.”

The Hill newspaper quotes Representative McGovern:

“President Bashir has a choice,” McGovern said at the protest. “He can choose to let the humanitarian groups return; he can choose to end the violence and the killing; and he can choose serious negotiations for a just and lasting peace. Or he can continue to commit crimes against humanity — crimes with which he is already charged — and charges that will one day catch up with him and bring him down.”

Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler said:

“We know President Obama and members of his administration care passionately about ending the Darfur crisis and promoting peace in Sudan,” said coalition president Jerry Fowler. “As President Obama nears his 100th day in office this week, he can demonstrate that Sudan is a strategic priority for the United States by committing to build a multilateral coalition for peace and investing in the diplomacy necessary to achieve an equitable and lasting solution for Darfuris and all Sudanese.”

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Photos: Honor the Past, Act Now for Darfur

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Two beautiful photo slide shows from Sunday’s Honor the Past Act Now for Darfur Genocide Prevention Month event.  Click on the images below to check them out!

From DeftMag.com:

From Ryan Riley:

If you took photos at this event, or any Act Now for Darfur event across the country, please add them to our Flickr group!  And if you have video, please add it to our YouTube group.

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“Our souls are rested”

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Gloria White-Hammond from Genocide Prevention Month on Vimeo.

One of the most rousing moments of Sunday’s Honor the Past – Act Now for Darfur Genocide Prevention Month event was a short speech by Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, the chair of the board of Save Darfur.  Rev. Gloria inspired the crowd to continue the long fight against genocide by recounting the story of Dr. Martin Luther King’s encounter with a civil rights activist in the 1960’s.

“Dr. King told the story of Mother Pollard.  Mother Pollard was a 70 year-old woman who lived in Montgomery during the bus boycott.  And like many of the older women, Mother Pollard was offered a ride but Mother Pollard refused to take a ride.  And when Martin King asked her why don’t you just get in the car so you can rest a little bit, she responded:

‘My feets are tired, but my soul is rested.’

Rev. Gloria reminded us how, like Mother Pollard, we have to continue the struggle for peace, justice and equality.  “300,000 have died and that’s the bad news, our feets are tired.  But 5 million are still alive, and our souls are rested.”  We have made a difference.  And with continued advocacy, we can continue to do so.

She reminded us of the terrible violence against women in Darfur and raised our spirits that something can be done to stop this violence.  A cheer rose up among the women who had traveled hundreds of miles to raise their voices in front of the White House as they heard Rev. Gloria:

“We will not shut-up until the raping stops.  We will stop the murder, yes we can! We will stop the burning, yes we can! And we won’t shut up until we stop the genocide once and for all, YES WE CAN!”

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Act Now for Darfur – this week, in your community!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Oregon: Darfur, Sudan Awareness Event at Westminster Presbyterian Church

This Esther Circle hosted event is to raise awareness of the situation in Darfur, to help end the genocide. A summary of region’s history will be discussed, along a presentation of the video “Darfur: A Call to Action”. Postcards will be available to add your voice for Darfur. At the end of the event, an optional viewing of the video “Violence Against Women” will be available for those interested. Childcare will be available, please RSVP.

Time: Wednesday, April 8 from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church – 2000 Oakwood Drive, Medford, OR 97504

Utah: Westminster College Die-In for Darfur

In Westminster College’s student center, concerned individuals will “die” for an hour to raise awareness for the plight of the people of Darfur. Then they will tye-dye a t-shirt to continue to expose people to the cause.

Time: Wednesday, April 8 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Westminster College – 1840 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Arizona: Coronal del Sol High School Strut4STAND Fashion Show

On Thursday, April 9th, Corona Del Sol High School is hosting “Strut4STAND Fashion Show” at 7:00pm in the Coronal Del Sol Auditorium. Corona is located at 1001 East Knox Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284. The event is open to the public, with tickets being sold in advance at the school bookstore for $4, and at the door for $5 at the door. Proceeds will go to the Jewish World Watch Solar Cooker Project. The AZ Lost Boys will be featured guests, and will be selling their ceramic cows.

Time: Thursday, April 9 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Corona del Sol High School – 1001E. Knox Road, Tempe, AZ 85284

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Kick off Genocide Prevention Month – events this weekend!

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Below are some of the amazing Genocide Prevention Month events happening this weekend.  Don’t see one near you?  Find or host an event.  And don’t forget to take action!

Interfaith Street Seder for Darfur: An Urgent Action to Restore Aid and Create Lasting Peace in Sudan

The crisis in Darfur is rapidly deteriorating. Without urgent action, millions are at risk of death from disease, dehydration and starvation. Show your outrage, raise your voice, and pray with your feet!

Where: The Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
When: Sunday, April 5, 1-4 PM
Why: To send a message to our community, the media and our government, during Passover and Holy Week, that we will Not Stand Idly By while the population of Darfur is decimated.
Directions:      Corner of Wilshire and Veteran. Parking is on Veteran, in the Federal Building Visitor’s Lot.

Lake Forest Park for Peace monthly vigil for Darfur

Join us for our monthly vigil to call attention to the crisis in Darfur. We have the vigil the first Saturday of every month from 11am to 12pm. The next vigil will be on April 4th. All are welcome. Bring signs and banners. Note: The Darfur vigil is on the EAST (lake) side of Bothell Way. There is another vigil on the WEST side of Bothell Way protesting the Iraq War.

Time:      Saturday, April 4 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location:      The corner of Ballinger Way & Bothell Way – Lake Forest Park, WA
Directions:      Exit I-5 at the Ballinger Way exit. Go east on Ballinger Way to Bothell Way. Vigil is at the corner of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way on the EAST side (lake side) of Bothell Way.

Hosted by Save Darfur Washington State.

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Make a difference for Darfur this April

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

April is Genocide Prevention Month, and this year it is a critical time for Darfur. An arrest warrant has been issued for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Darfuris have been displaced by genocidal violence for six years. And, President Obama will have been in office for nearly 100 days.

We must show our leaders that thousands of Americans demand action at this high-stakes moment — and they won’t be able to ignore thousands of Americans rallying in communities across America.

In April we will raise our collective voice with hundreds of grassroots events nationwide and demand that Obama act to ensure peace for Sudan, protection for its people and accountability for the architects of genocide. Become part of this momentous campaign.

Host or attend an event in your community

This April, during Genocide Prevention Month, communities across the country will come together to honor the past and act for change in Darfur today. Become part of this momentous campaign by hosting an Act Now for Darfur event in your community. Whether it’s a film viewing or forum, a rally or vigil, or a faith-based event, there’s something right for you.

Take action every day

Send a letter to Ambassador Susan Rice.  Text Secretary Hillary Clinton.  Film a YouTube video to President Obama.  Watch a film about survivors advocating for an end to genocide.  Take action!

Pray and act for Darfur in your house of worship

In the month of April we will commemorate genocides such as Armenia, The Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, South Sudan and other mass atrocities with a Month of Sermons and Service. Congregations around the country will reflect on Darfur during Mass, Church Services, Seders and Khutbahs.

The Month of Sermons and Service is a time to not only remember the inaction of world leaders in the face of past atrocities, but also to demand real action in Darfur in the present. Invite your faith community to participate by registering as a Congregation of Conscience.

Lobby your elected officials

Schedule a lobby meeting with your member of Congress during April 6-17, the congressional recess. Learn how to set up a lobby meeting, and email info@genocideintervention.net once the meeting is scheduled or with any questions.

Ask your local bookstore or library to display a table of books about genocide

Bookstores and libraries across the country will be featuring tables of books about genocide throughout the month of April.   The American Booksellers Association has created a list of notable books about genocide: “Books of Conscience.” Doesn’t include your favorite?  More books are listed here, and you can contact the Genocide Prevention Project with any further suggestions.  Help us by asking your bookseller to participate!

Join a commemoration honoring past genocides in your community

Genocide survivors and advocates are holding events around the world in April to observe Genocide Prevention Month. From the Museum of Jewish Heritage to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, survivor organizations and advocates are commemorating Bosnia, Rwanda, the Holocaust, Cambodia and Armenia – tragedies that all have commemoration anniversaries in April.

Donate Now to the Save Darfur Coalition

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