On April 19th DC-area advocates for Darfur (and 3 buses of advocates from Pittsburgh!) joined over 450 communities across the United States to honor the past and act now for Darfur.

The event began with a moving memorial ceremony honoring the victims of the genocides and mass atrocities commemorated in the month of April, Genocide Prevention Month.  Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, South Sudan and Darfur were all remembered through personal stories, prayers and the building of a memorial in front of the White House.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian adds a copy of an Armenian passport to the memorial

Joseph Sebarenzi says a prayer before adding a rose to the memorial

Socheata, Houng and Nin Poeuv pray before adding a family photo to the memorial

Now, it is not the time to talk; it is not the time to stand by; it is the time to act.

Now it is the time to remember that the people of Darfur are fellow human beings; are God’s children.

Now is the time to remember that each of us owes the people of Darfur help in whatever ways possible.

[...]

I am here today to remind world leaders the ancient wisdom that to whom much is given, much is required; PLEASE use the power given to you to stop the genocide in Darfur!

I am here to day, to tell my fellow genocide survivors, to seek justice, and to never seek revenge;

I am here today to tell victims of violence, to overcome their sufferings, not with violence, but with peaceful means.

Photos of Dr. Jon Western and the Poeuv family by Pete Muller.  All other photos by Mark Lotwis of Save Darfur.