end genocide in darfur

On Monday the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued formal charges against Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir for genocide.

How Bashir will respond is unclear. His record suggests that he could take his vengeance out on Darfuris.

If that danger weren’t enough, a BBC report this week revealed evidence suggesting that China, one of the Security Council’s permanent five members, has been providing the weapons used to carry out the genocide.1

It’s never been clearer that the U.N. Security Council needs a comprehensive plan for Darfur. And its leaders need the political will to implement it.

The Save Darfur Coalition is circulating a petition to the leaders of the five most critical voices on the U.N. Security Council to demand that they stop dragging their feet. I’ve already signed. You can too by clicking here.

Not since World War II have all major presidential candidates come together on an international issue.

Until now. Today, Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama released a joint statement condemning the violence against the people of Darfur and promising to address the issue with “unstinting resolve.”

Let’s show our appreciation. Click here to watch a video with the three candidates and send a note applauding their unity on this matter of grave national concern.

The three candidates have honest differences about many issues. But this joint statement shows us they are willing to put aside those differences to stand in solidarity against genocide. They are united in the belief that “atrocities against civilians in Darfur” are “unacceptable to the American people and to the world community.”

The Senators go on to say that:

”...on this moral issue of tremendous importance, there is no divide between us. We stand united and demand that the genocide and violence in Darfur be brought to an end and that the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] be fully implemented.”

If peace and security for the people of Sudan are not in place when one of us is inaugurated as President on January 20, 2009, we pledge that the next Administration will pursue these goals with unstinting resolve.

At the Save Darfur Coalition, we encourage policymakers to make the right decisions. We show them our disappointment when they make bad choices, but also our gratitude when they make good ones.

Learn more…

Click here: http://www.dreamfordarfur.org/TheCampaign/TargetingOlympicSponsors/TurnOffforDarfur/tabid/288/Default.aspx

Don’t Sponsor Genocide!!!

Visit www.standnow.org for more details. While these are held on college campuses and mainly intended for students, anyone can benefit from attending. I believe the cost is about $35 for the weekend. I’ll be at the one in Austin starting FRIDAY! “Never Again!!”

Last Tuesday, the Sudanese Armed Forces attacked the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission for Darfur just ten days after it began. The peacekeepers are not equipped to protect themselves or the people of Darfur without helicopters.

More than 42,000 Save Darfur activists have called on President Bush to secure the 24 helicopters and we are finally seeing some progress.

The U.K. has called an urgent meeting – scheduled for tomorrow – to bring together possible helicopter donors. This meeting could get the peacekeepers one step closer to the necessary 24 helicopters.

But, President Bush needs to hear from you before the meeting. Click here to tell the White House to do everything in its power to secure commitments for the 24 helicopters.

Sand and Sorrow

Ten years after the genocide in Rwanda, another tragic story of inhumanity is unfolding in another African nation. As a bloody byproduct of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, hundreds of thousands of native Sudanese have died, while millions more have been forcibly displaced from their homes and land in the western region of Darfur by their own government. Executive produced and narrated by George Clooney, and directed by Peabody Award winner Paul Freedman, SAND AND SORROW journeys into the heart of the crisis in Darfur.

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/sandandsorrow/video.html?ntrack_para1=feat_sec1_text

It’ll be availible for viewing online until this Sunday. One of the best, if not the best documentary film I’ve seen on this issue. Please watch it and share with others!

USE the free and anonymous literary campaign, www.BookCrossing.com as an edu-activism tool to spread awareness about the genocide in the Sudan. The official BC challenge is entitled, “READ,” Respond in Earnest Action for Darfur. See this bookshelf for more info: http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/goldem1217

WALK WITH US.
The Dream for Darfur Olympic Torch Relay, which has also traveled internationally to countries with a history of genocide and mass atrocities, aims to URGE CHINA – as Sudan’s chief diplomatic sponsor, major weapons provider, and largest foreign investor and trade partner; and as host of the 2008 Summer Olympics – to use its unique position to lead the world in bringing an end to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

San Marcos (Texas State University STAND chapter) – Nov. 28, 11:45 AM city square – LBJ street – campus mall.

San Antonio (SAIDC) – Dec. 3, Institute of Texas Cultures
SEE www.saidc.blogspot.com for more info.

Austin (UT White Rose Society) – Dec. 5

www.dreamfordarfur.org
www.standnow.org

Funding delays in Congress are threatening to hold up the long-awaited U.N.-A.U. peacekeeping mission to Darfur. We cannot sit by and allow budget battles to get in the way of peacekeepers.

Tell Congress to approve funding for Darfur ASAP.

Last week’s peace talks in Libya were another step in the long-awaited political process that can bring peace to Darfur.

But real peace remains elusive. The peace process could take months or years to bear fruit. Meanwhile, violence continues to escalate, making the need for peacekeepers even more urgent.

Yet, political disputes in Washington over issues unrelated to Darfur are threatening to delay America’s promised contribution to the Darfur peacekeeping mission.

The people of Darfur cannot afford any more delays.

Darfur peace talks are happening right now in Libya, but the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.

Violence has escalated in recent weeks, engulfing civilians and peacekeeping forces alike. Meanwhile, political upheavals throughout Sudan threaten to eclipse the faint glimmer of hope of the peace talks.

We MUST remind our leaders that the people of Darfur need their high-level engagement now more than ever. International pressure is essential to ensure progress in peace talks and the timely deployment of the U.N.-A.U. peacekeeping force for Darfur.

This is not a time for complacency. Please remind President Bush and UN Secretary-General Ban to do all they can to ensure progress towards security and political reconciliation in Darfur. Click here to send your message now.?