This evening, Tuesday, September 22, the Save Darfur Coalition will present DARFUR/DARFUR, a traveling exhibit of digitally-projected changing images that provide visual education about the richly multi-cultural region while exposing the horrors of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The images will be projected at large-scale in Grace Plaza in New York City, timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly, and preceded by a brief program. Speakers include U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Major General Scott Gration, Save Darfur Coalition president Jerry Fowler, Darfur/Darfur curator Leslie Thomas and photo journalist Ron Haviv. Please join us and spread the word! It will be at 1133 Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave) and 43rd Street, with remarks beginning at 7 pm and projections at 7:30. RSVP here: http://www.savedarfur.org/page/event/detail/other/4vxh3.
Posts Tagged Events
DARFUR/DARFUR comes to New York City – tonight!
Monday, September 21st, 2009
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.
Rally At The United Nations
Monday, August 17th, 2009
On Thursday, I traveled to New York City with Niemat Ahmadi, Save Darfur Coalition’s Darfuri Liaison Officer, for a rally organized by the Darfur Rehabilitation Project, Inc. and thirteen other organizations. Despite the threat (and occasional spurt) of rain, a hearty crowd gathered in high spirits and marched with signs and petitions in hand. For several hours, we rallied in Daj Hammarskjöld Plaza, in front of the U.N. – listening to impassioned speeches by Darfuri leaders who called for the United Nations’ continued and enhanced protection of Darfurians in Sudan and in refugee camps beyond. From there, our group marched through the center of New York City to the U.S. Mission to the U.N., where we presented a petition to Peggy Kerry, the NGO Liaison. The day concluded with a panel discussion and dialogue about the Darfur movement, and focused on future paths for growth.
We are hopeful that the United Nations will respond to our requests and will move rapidly towards full deployment of UNAMID forces, the provision of sufficient humanitarian aid to those who so desperately need it and enhanced protections for women and children in the IDP camps.
Darfuris Make Their Voices Heard: Justice Brings Peace to Darfur
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009Yesterday, July 22, marked a great day for the Darfuri and Sudanese community in the United States of America. The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy led a rally in front of the White House, asking President Obama to end his silence on Darfur. In attendance were Darfuris from the greater D.C. area, Virginia, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina. US Representative Lynn Woolsey of California’s 6th district greeted the assembly and shared her desire for the Administration to move quickly to lead the international community for peace in Sudan.
Activists and concerned citizens congregated at Lafayette Park in front of the White House in support of justice and peace. Representatives from Darfur Human Rights of Philadelphia, Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom, the Nubia Project, Nuba Mountain, the Darfur Rehabilitation Project and other activists from the Sudanese community were joined by organizations such as Enough, Save Darfur, American Jewish World Service, Africa Action, and the Armenian Assembly of America, amongst others. . The peaceful rally began with several notable speakers including Dr. Abdul-Gabar Adam of Darfur Human Rights, Jimmy Mulla of Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom and Daowd Salih of the Damanga Coalition. Though we had a diverse group, the message was clear and unanimous: we need justice and peace in Darfur. Now.
From there we turned our attention to the White House – as the President was leaving in his motorcade, no less. The demonstrators expressed feelings of sorrow for the plight of those residing in refugee camps, desperation for America to act in Sudan, and frustration at the African Union and the Arab League for granting impunity to Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
Activists march from the White House to the State Department
After gathering signatures and making our presence known in front of the White House, we marched to the Department of State to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Darfur. We received a great deal of attention. We finally arrived at the State Department and pleaded that Secretary Clinton do her part to help bring justice to Sudan.
Our voice was loud and the Obama Administration understands the importance of this issue to his constituency. With continued pressure, such as was demonstrated yesterday, we hope that President Obama will take further action to end the genocide in Darfur.
Mohamed Yahya is the Executive Director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy
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.
“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!”
Act for Darfur at an event near you!
Friday, April 17th, 2009There are now more than 400 communities participating in Genocide Prevention Month! This weekend alone there are nearly 100 events across the country, where Americans will be raising their voices for Darfur.
In DC, the Save Darfur Coalition is hosting a memorial ceremony, featuring survivors of past genocides, followed by a short speaking program featuring “upstanders” who acted in the face of previous genocides, Darfuri activists and prominent leaders from the Darfur movement in America. Join us from 2:00-3:00 pm in Obama’s front yard, Lafayette Square, for this exciting event.
Throughout the country activists are hosting events ranging from rallies in Chicago, to Congregations of Conscience praying for the people of Darfur, to citizens uniting to lobby their representatives. Find more information about some of the events happening this weekend below.
Rallies and Ceremonies
Youth United for Darfur Rally (Chicago, IL)
3rd Annual Rally for Darfur (Sarasota, FL)
Holocaust Remembrance Day and Genocide Prevention Ceremony (Terre Haute, IN)
Faith
An Evening of Prayer for Africa (Imperial, PA)
Temple Israel of Long Beach (Long Beach, CA)
Honoring the Past with A Gathering of Hope (Raleigh, NC)
Film screenings
Chandler (Chandler, AZ)
Irvine United Congregational Church – Plumer Hall (Irvine, CA)
Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA)
South Side Coffee Co. (Lompoc, CA)
Concerts
Dobson High School (Mesa, AZ)
A Song for Darfur Benefit Concert (Manhasset, NY)
Gatherings – education, awareness, action (and some fun)
McGeorge School of Law (Sacramento, CA)
BC Forum at Santa Barbara City College (Santa Barbara, CA)
Rio Theatre (Santa Cruz, CA)
Cropsey residence (Redding, CA)
Reilly’s apt: Shandoka G37 (Telluride, CO)
Lobbying
District Offices throughout Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks, CA)
US Congressional District Offices (Decatur, GA)
Week of awareness
USC – McCarthy Quad, and other locations tba (Los Angeles, CA)
There are dozens of events that I could not fit here, so if there is not one highlighted here, find an event near you!
This post was drafted by Amanda Tyson
Take a moment to Act Now for Darfur this weekend
Friday, April 10th, 2009There are hundreds of events happening around the country (and the world!) throughout April – Genocide Prevention Month. Take a moment this weekend to Honor the Past and Act Now for Darfur. Don’t see an event near you? Check out our map of events to find one later in the month. It’s also not too late to host a small event in your community!
Idaho: Act Now for Darfur Global Day
We will walk from the Boise Depot (please meet in the parking lot) to the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial with our signs. There will be musicians and several speakers, mainly Boise Darfuri residents. Fidel Nshombo (Congo) will also read his poetry. For those who do not wish to join us in our walk down the hill, please meet us at the Memorial at 11:30am.
Time: Saturday, April 11 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Boise Depot – Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial – 777 S. 8th Street, Boise, ID 83702
Kansas: Save Darfur Prayer Vigil
A time to gather and be advocates for Darfur before the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-man who suffered so that our suffering may be healed. Monetary funds will also be collected on a voluntary basis for the advocacy efforts of the Save Darfur Coalition.
Time: Saturday, April 11 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Mid America College Church of the Nazarene – 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, KS 66062
Massachusetts: North Shore Freestyle Dance for Darfur
Enjoy DJ Rav’s mixed genre music, dance, network, and learn about the latest actions to help bring peace, health and justice to Darfur. $5 to $15/person suggested donation at the door. April is Genocide Prevention Month, do what you can to prevent the genocide in Darfur.
Time: Saturday, April 11 from 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Ipswich Moving Co., Dance Studio – 62 East Street on Cogswell St. Ipswich, MA 01938
Lot of events happening in California!
Exhibit Darfur – San Francisco
Exhibit Darfur is an artistic representation of the personal experiences of genocide and slavery in Sudan. This multi-media experience takes visitors on a photographic journey through the lens of six astonishing artists: Mia Farrow, Brian Steidle, Izabela Lundberg, Aaron Cohen, Heidi McGuiness, and Carol Rinehart.
Exhibit Darfur will provide opportunities for participants to learn more about Sudan and how they can be involved in ending genocide and promoting peace through organizations working to improve conditions in Sudan.
Exhibit Opens April 1 and runs through April 30.
For more information, visit www.exhibitdarfur.com or www.darfursf.org.
Time: M-F: 9am – 8pm, Sat: 9am-4pm, Sunday: Closed
Location: San Francisco State University Downtown Campus – 835 Market St, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103
Find us online and connect!