Long Island Darfur Action Group
We CAN stop this madness. The unspeakeable horrors taking place every day in Darfur must be made known to the world. We can show the world and especially the Arabs, Muslims and black Africans of all tribes that are engaged in this struggle, that the American people are full of compassion regardless of race or creed. We can do this, but We need to make our elected officials accountable for their action or inaction.
Do we want to be the ones who hid and profited when there was a powerful political or economic force perpetrating evil or the ones that stood up and were counted among those who love our brothers and sisters.
Countries have borders, mankind's compassion does not.
Our primary mission is to raise awareness of the plight of the Darfuris and put pressure on decision makers both here and abroad to act before it is too late. We are not politically oriented but we are politically minded. We are humanitarians, though we are very much involved in lobbying congress for support.
Through Darfuri refugees, we are also assisting the Darfurians with donations of clothing and school supplies. All of our fundraising goes either to the Save Darfur Coalition or directly to the refugees.
Below is the official LIDAG letter; we will use in our Letter Writing Campaign. Please copy this letter, adding your name and address, sign it and send it to your local government officials. You may use this letter to send to the President, cabinet members, congress and senate members. Email it, snail mail it, post it on your blog, facebook or myspace it, let's get this letter circulating!
Here is a good website to get your representatives contact info; http://www.votesmart.org/
Dear
As important as the troubled economy and other foreign policy issues may be at this time, it is also a crucial time for the people of Darfur who have waited and watched their women systematically raped and killed, children starve each day of delay and an impotent West has been paralyzed in any attempts to save them from this Genocide. During the presidential campaign, president-elect Obama pledged to "make ending the genocide in Darfur a priority from Day One," of his new administration.
Here we outline the steps that the Obama administration and YOU should take to fulfill that commitment. Most generally, it is time for the United States and the international community to stop attempting to "manage" this conflict through half-measures and instead undertake bold initiatives to push for peace for Darfur. Genocide in slow motion remains genocide. Bold steps will require a "peace surge" by the new administration: strong American leadership and full-scale use of diplomatic resources can create a peace process that would finally achieve a breakthrough which ends the conflict. Any successful effort will also require a comprehensive approach to address the multitude of other challenges which face Darfuri civilians and act as impediments to peace.
We therefore, call on YOU and President Obama to fulfill his pledges by acting swiftly and decisively on Darfur upon assuming office. The president-elect and his administration should use the full powers and influence of the United States government to:
Energize efforts, through a peace surge, to create an inclusive peace process to
Resolve the conflict in Darfur and create a sustainable peace for all Sudan;
Immediate appointment of a high-level envoy to Sudan in the new administration to press for diplomatic progress;
A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban;
Strong multilateral sanctions;
Ensure the full and effective deployment of a peace keeping force that actively protects Darfuri;
Provide necessary humanitarian aid and push for unfettered humanitarian access to ensure the survival of Darfuri civilians;
Actively seek justice for the people of Darfur and hold the perpetrators of the genocide to account;
A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address the genocide in Darfur;
Support increasing the international affairs account (also known as the 150 account) by 10% by 2010.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Sincerely yours,
Long Island Darfur Action Group
Here is a good website to get your representatives contact info; http://www.votesmart.org/
Dear
As important as the troubled economy and other foreign policy issues may be at this time, it is also a crucial time for the people of Darfur who have waited and watched their women systematically raped and killed, children starve each day of delay and an impotent West has been paralyzed in any attempts to save them from this Genocide. During the presidential campaign, president-elect Obama pledged to "make ending the genocide in Darfur a priority from Day One," of his new administration.
Here we outline the steps that the Obama administration and YOU should take to fulfill that commitment. Most generally, it is time for the United States and the international community to stop attempting to "manage" this conflict through half-measures and instead undertake bold initiatives to push for peace for Darfur. Genocide in slow motion remains genocide. Bold steps will require a "peace surge" by the new administration: strong American leadership and full-scale use of diplomatic resources can create a peace process that would finally achieve a breakthrough which ends the conflict. Any successful effort will also require a comprehensive approach to address the multitude of other challenges which face Darfuri civilians and act as impediments to peace.
We therefore, call on YOU and President Obama to fulfill his pledges by acting swiftly and decisively on Darfur upon assuming office. The president-elect and his administration should use the full powers and influence of the United States government to:
Energize efforts, through a peace surge, to create an inclusive peace process to
Resolve the conflict in Darfur and create a sustainable peace for all Sudan;
Immediate appointment of a high-level envoy to Sudan in the new administration to press for diplomatic progress;
A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban;
Strong multilateral sanctions;
Ensure the full and effective deployment of a peace keeping force that actively protects Darfuri;
Provide necessary humanitarian aid and push for unfettered humanitarian access to ensure the survival of Darfuri civilians;
Actively seek justice for the people of Darfur and hold the perpetrators of the genocide to account;
A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address the genocide in Darfur;
Support increasing the international affairs account (also known as the 150 account) by 10% by 2010.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Sincerely yours,
Long Island Darfur Action Group
LONG ISLAND DARFUR ACTION GROUP
MONTHLY MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2009
AGENDA
1. REVIEW OF 2008
A1. Joined forces with Darfur Metro (Darfur Metro is a coalition of Darfur advocacy groups in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester, Queens and Brooklyn, and exists to share information, news, and promote events for any group working to end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan).
A2.First event with Darfur Metro was the press conference at the Chinese Mission to the UN on Feb. 12th. The featured guest speaker was Mia Farrow.
B. Help support Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock's Worship Service and Program for Darfur, Soulful Sundown Service, and their Uncle Brothers concert to fundraise and to raise awareness.
C. Our own individual efforts, signing petitions, calling 1-800-genocide, responding to Save Darfur Coalition emails to take some action especially during the Olympics.
D. Meeting with Congressman, Gary Ackerman.
E. Participated in conference call with Mira Patel, Senator Clinton's assistant on foreign affairs (list of "asks"):
-A high-level administration official in charge of Darfur/Sudan policy, committed to work full-time on the peace process
-Effective peace-keeping which includes a robust ground force with a competent lead nation and clear command structure and not allowing Khartoum to dictate terms of deployment
-Moving forward with the indictment of President Bashir, refusal to invoke Article 16, further indictments
-A practical and escalating menu of multilateral sanctions
-A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban
-Monitoring and enforcement of the ban on sale of ALL military weapons to Khartoum
-A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address Darfur
-Continuing to refer to Darfur as a genocide
F. Helped various other Darfur groups contact speakers from DPANY.
G. UU Fellowship of Huntington organized a postcard writing campaign.
2. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009
A. Meetings with all members of Congress on LI
B1. 1 or 2 fundraising, awareness events
B2. Attend rallies, events, press conferences whenever possible
C. Keep the pressure on new President and team
D. Support Darfur Metro and other Darfur groups
3. CURRENT SITUATION IN DARFUR
A. On March 31, 2005 the United Nations Security Council made its first ever referral of a situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation-the situation in Darfur. The court issued its first two warrants in April 2007, for government minister Ahmad Harun and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, for their leading roles in a series of attacks against civilians in West Darfur in 2003 and 2004. However, Sudanese authorities have from the start refused to cooperate with the ICC, and have refused to arrest and hand over the two suspects. Instead Ahmad Harun has been promoted to State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs.
On July 14, 2008 the ICC prosecutor announced he was seeking a third warrant, this time for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, on 10 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This time, rather than simply dismissing the ICC, the Sudanese government launched a major diplomatic campaign to convince the Security Council to defer the investigation. Under article 16 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, the United Nations Security Council is empowered, by way of a resolution, to grant such a suspension for up to a year at a time.
This report focuses on four dimensions of the crisis in Darfur: continuing insecurity for civilians, the humanitarian situation, justice and accountability and deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The report highlights the distance between the government of Sudan's rhetoric and the reality in each of these areas.
For more details see: http://www.savedarfur.org/newsroom/policypapers/rhetoric_vs_reality_the_situation_in_darfur/
B. Kristof article- Airlift (sent in previous email).
4. LETTER WRITING
A. Write personal letter to elected officials
Copy of letter will be posted on blog to copy and send to elected officials.
MONTHLY MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2009
AGENDA
1. REVIEW OF 2008
A1. Joined forces with Darfur Metro (Darfur Metro is a coalition of Darfur advocacy groups in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester, Queens and Brooklyn, and exists to share information, news, and promote events for any group working to end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan).
A2.First event with Darfur Metro was the press conference at the Chinese Mission to the UN on Feb. 12th. The featured guest speaker was Mia Farrow.
B. Help support Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock's Worship Service and Program for Darfur, Soulful Sundown Service, and their Uncle Brothers concert to fundraise and to raise awareness.
C. Our own individual efforts, signing petitions, calling 1-800-genocide, responding to Save Darfur Coalition emails to take some action especially during the Olympics.
D. Meeting with Congressman, Gary Ackerman.
E. Participated in conference call with Mira Patel, Senator Clinton's assistant on foreign affairs (list of "asks"):
-A high-level administration official in charge of Darfur/Sudan policy, committed to work full-time on the peace process
-Effective peace-keeping which includes a robust ground force with a competent lead nation and clear command structure and not allowing Khartoum to dictate terms of deployment
-Moving forward with the indictment of President Bashir, refusal to invoke Article 16, further indictments
-A practical and escalating menu of multilateral sanctions
-A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban
-Monitoring and enforcement of the ban on sale of ALL military weapons to Khartoum
-A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address Darfur
-Continuing to refer to Darfur as a genocide
F. Helped various other Darfur groups contact speakers from DPANY.
G. UU Fellowship of Huntington organized a postcard writing campaign.
2. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009
A. Meetings with all members of Congress on LI
B1. 1 or 2 fundraising, awareness events
B2. Attend rallies, events, press conferences whenever possible
C. Keep the pressure on new President and team
D. Support Darfur Metro and other Darfur groups
3. CURRENT SITUATION IN DARFUR
A. On March 31, 2005 the United Nations Security Council made its first ever referral of a situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation-the situation in Darfur. The court issued its first two warrants in April 2007, for government minister Ahmad Harun and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, for their leading roles in a series of attacks against civilians in West Darfur in 2003 and 2004. However, Sudanese authorities have from the start refused to cooperate with the ICC, and have refused to arrest and hand over the two suspects. Instead Ahmad Harun has been promoted to State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs.
On July 14, 2008 the ICC prosecutor announced he was seeking a third warrant, this time for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, on 10 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This time, rather than simply dismissing the ICC, the Sudanese government launched a major diplomatic campaign to convince the Security Council to defer the investigation. Under article 16 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, the United Nations Security Council is empowered, by way of a resolution, to grant such a suspension for up to a year at a time.
This report focuses on four dimensions of the crisis in Darfur: continuing insecurity for civilians, the humanitarian situation, justice and accountability and deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The report highlights the distance between the government of Sudan's rhetoric and the reality in each of these areas.
For more details see: http://www.savedarfur.org/newsroom/policypapers/rhetoric_vs_reality_the_situation_in_darfur/
B. Kristof article- Airlift (sent in previous email).
4. LETTER WRITING
A. Write personal letter to elected officials
Copy of letter will be posted on blog to copy and send to elected officials.
Thursdays conference call with Mira Patel, Hillary Clinton's assistant on Foriegn Affairs, went very well. Ms. Patel was very receptive to our call and we spoke about the following:
Our list of "asks":
-A mention of Darfur in Ms. Clinton's opening remarks and commitment to Darfur as a top policy concern
-A high-level administration official in charge of Darfur/Sudan policy, committed to work full-time on the peace process
-Effective peace-keeping which includes a robust ground force with a competent lead nation and clear command structure and not allowing Khartoum to dictate terms of deployment
-Moving forward with the indictment of President Bashir, refusal to invoke Article 16, further indictments
-A practical and escalating menu of multilateral sanctions
-A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban
-Monitoring and enforcement of the ban on sale of ALL military weapons to Khartoum
-A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address Darfur
-Continuing to refer to Darfur as a genocide
Hillary Clinton has an A+ Darfur Score, http://www.darfurscores.org/grades/new%20york and is our ally in ending the genocide in Darfur.
Our list of "asks":
-A mention of Darfur in Ms. Clinton's opening remarks and commitment to Darfur as a top policy concern
-A high-level administration official in charge of Darfur/Sudan policy, committed to work full-time on the peace process
-Effective peace-keeping which includes a robust ground force with a competent lead nation and clear command structure and not allowing Khartoum to dictate terms of deployment
-Moving forward with the indictment of President Bashir, refusal to invoke Article 16, further indictments
-A practical and escalating menu of multilateral sanctions
-A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban
-Monitoring and enforcement of the ban on sale of ALL military weapons to Khartoum
-A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address Darfur
-Continuing to refer to Darfur as a genocide
Hillary Clinton has an A+ Darfur Score, http://www.darfurscores.org/grades/new%20york and is our ally in ending the genocide in Darfur.
I am having trouble sending the group an email. The weekly newsletter is below:
Members,
Our monthly meeting was held on Thursday. The following items were
discussed:
1. Meeting with Congressman Ackerman. Discussed other 4
congressional districts on LI and discussed members Darfur scorecards.
http://www.darfurscores.org/. We have not heard back from his office
yet regarding meeting with the other members of Congress on LI. When
we have meetings set up I will update everyone.
2. NYC Coalition co-founder and co-director, Sharon Silber, PH.D will
speak along with Adeeb Yousif, a human rights activst from the village
of Guldo in West Darfur at the Anne Frank Museum on Wednesday, Nov.
19th 6-8pm.
http://www.annefrank.com/exhibitions/on-site-exhibits/childrens-drawings-from-darfur/
3. Folk concert in the spring at UUC. Neil Marrin will be organizing
with our support a folk singers concert in the spring at the UUC.
When we have more details I will let you know.
4. At our monthly meetings we will be collecting donations from our
members to keep in a petty cash fund. We will use this money to pay
for the transportation costs of our speakers and for other
miscellaneous expenses. This is a voluntary contribution and not
required to attend our meetings. We collected $40.00 at Thursday's
meeting. Thank you to all who contributed.
5. We are working on getting a film shown at the Cinema Arts Center.
If we cannot secure a date for a film showing we will try to get a
date to set up a table to sell merchandise and raise awareness.
No meeting in December. We will meet again the first Thursday of
January.
Nancy
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
-- Winston Churchill
Members,
Our monthly meeting was held on Thursday. The following items were
discussed:
1. Meeting with Congressman Ackerman. Discussed other 4
congressional districts on LI and discussed members Darfur scorecards.
http://www.darfurscores.org/. We have not heard back from his office
yet regarding meeting with the other members of Congress on LI. When
we have meetings set up I will update everyone.
2. NYC Coalition co-founder and co-director, Sharon Silber, PH.D will
speak along with Adeeb Yousif, a human rights activst from the village
of Guldo in West Darfur at the Anne Frank Museum on Wednesday, Nov.
19th 6-8pm.
http://www.annefrank.com/exhibitions/on-site-exhibits/childrens-drawings-from-darfur/
3. Folk concert in the spring at UUC. Neil Marrin will be organizing
with our support a folk singers concert in the spring at the UUC.
When we have more details I will let you know.
4. At our monthly meetings we will be collecting donations from our
members to keep in a petty cash fund. We will use this money to pay
for the transportation costs of our speakers and for other
miscellaneous expenses. This is a voluntary contribution and not
required to attend our meetings. We collected $40.00 at Thursday's
meeting. Thank you to all who contributed.
5. We are working on getting a film shown at the Cinema Arts Center.
If we cannot secure a date for a film showing we will try to get a
date to set up a table to sell merchandise and raise awareness.
No meeting in December. We will meet again the first Thursday of
January.
Nancy
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
-- Winston Churchill
Our meeting last Thursday with Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-5th district) went better than expected. Ackerman has a A+ on the Darfur Scorecard, http://www.darfurscores.org/ and we are thrilled to have him as a friend and ally to LIDAG. Present at the meeting were myself, Robert Messa, Neil Marrin, Nina Gordon from LIDAG and from DPANY Boshara Dosa and Adeeb Yousif, an activist, writer and recent escapee of the violence in Darfur. Boshara and Adeeb gave Ackerman a compelling and real account of the dire situation in Darfur. Congressman Ackerman was very receptive to helping us further educate other members of Congress here on Long Island and will personally call Congressman Steve Israel (D-2nd district), Congressman Tim Bishop (D-1st district) and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-4th district) and have them contact us for a meeting. Ackerman was unaware that Long Island had a group like ours and was impressed with the number of members in LIDAG and Darfur Metro. At the end of the meeting he thanked us for our work and agreed to attend our future events. We now have a golden opportunity, thanks to Ackerman to ask other elected officials on LI to help move current legislation or pass new bills on Darfur.
I would encourage all our members to attend these meetings or try to get meetings in your own districts.
I would encourage all our members to attend these meetings or try to get meetings in your own districts.
For our new members who are asking for ways they can help, below is a list from Oprah.com. These are good suggestions to help get the word out about the genocide in Darfur.
1. Show a film. Inspire others by showing movies such as Hotel Rwanda, Schindler's List, Sometimes in April, Darfur Diaries or The Killing Fields.
2. Invite a Speaker. Raise public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur by inviting an expert to speak to your office, neighborhood or place of worship about this issue.
3. Generate Media Coverage. Keep Sudan in the spotlight by writing letters to the editor, meeting with editorial boards and encouraging community leaders to write op-ed pieces about Darfur.
4. Contact your elected officials. Write or call the White House or your Member of Congress to share your concerns about Darfur.
5. Hold a Rally, Vigil or Ceremony. Such events can help garner media attention for Darfur.
6. Organize a Benefit Event. Raise awareness and relief funds by holding an awareness-raising event, like a concert. Take this opportunity to tell attendees about what is happening in Darfur and urge them to help.
7. Conduct an Educational Presentation. Educate your friends and family by holding a teach-in on Darfur. Visit savedarfur.org to download PowerPoint presentations on the crisis.
8. Host a Potluck Dinner for Darfur. Discuss the situation in Darfur in an informal setting. By sharing your knowledge, your friends and family can educate each other and brainstorm organizing tactics.
9. Join the Save Darfur Congregational Network. Bring the issue of Darfur to your house of worship. Save Darfur has created faith action packets and bulletin inserts to help organize your religious community.
10. Raise Funds for Darfur Advocacy. Help support the people of Darfur by making a donation.
1. Show a film. Inspire others by showing movies such as Hotel Rwanda, Schindler's List, Sometimes in April, Darfur Diaries or The Killing Fields.
2. Invite a Speaker. Raise public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur by inviting an expert to speak to your office, neighborhood or place of worship about this issue.
3. Generate Media Coverage. Keep Sudan in the spotlight by writing letters to the editor, meeting with editorial boards and encouraging community leaders to write op-ed pieces about Darfur.
4. Contact your elected officials. Write or call the White House or your Member of Congress to share your concerns about Darfur.
5. Hold a Rally, Vigil or Ceremony. Such events can help garner media attention for Darfur.
6. Organize a Benefit Event. Raise awareness and relief funds by holding an awareness-raising event, like a concert. Take this opportunity to tell attendees about what is happening in Darfur and urge them to help.
7. Conduct an Educational Presentation. Educate your friends and family by holding a teach-in on Darfur. Visit savedarfur.org to download PowerPoint presentations on the crisis.
8. Host a Potluck Dinner for Darfur. Discuss the situation in Darfur in an informal setting. By sharing your knowledge, your friends and family can educate each other and brainstorm organizing tactics.
9. Join the Save Darfur Congregational Network. Bring the issue of Darfur to your house of worship. Save Darfur has created faith action packets and bulletin inserts to help organize your religious community.
10. Raise Funds for Darfur Advocacy. Help support the people of Darfur by making a donation.
Please read this article by Nicholas Kristoff. This is going to be the battle cry of the Coalition until China does something positive toward Darfur.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/opinion/24kristof.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/opinion/24kristof.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Link
The above link is a good primer to keep up to date and answer others' questions about why we are supporting the people in Darfur.
The "box" of facts is also interesting.
If you have good links to information or websites, please post them here.
Robert
The above link is a good primer to keep up to date and answer others' questions about why we are supporting the people in Darfur.
The "box" of facts is also interesting.
If you have good links to information or websites, please post them here.
Robert
The January 13th meeting information package is available. Email Robert at robert@rlmessa.com to request the packet in Adobe format.
Share it will all your friends to bring them into the cause.
Robert
Share it will all your friends to bring them into the cause.
Robert
Hello everyone. We've got a few possible projects on the fire, but nothing definite yet. If anyone has ideas for events or to-do's shout em out.
Other groups are doing 5K runs, face-downs, school talks, concerts, benefits at bars, etc. We need to raise awareness. 14 people per hour are dying with about 3 of them children. Visit website Sudan Tribune to get the Arab side of the equation. Saudi Arabia has not denounced the genocide nor has any other Arab country from what I have read. If anyone knows differently, post a blog so we can see who we need to put pressure on.
If you can, purchase either the book or video of Darfur Diaries. Really great in that both of them bring the genocide to a very real level.
Let's talk on the blog. It seems many members aren't getting the emails.
Robert
Other groups are doing 5K runs, face-downs, school talks, concerts, benefits at bars, etc. We need to raise awareness. 14 people per hour are dying with about 3 of them children. Visit website Sudan Tribune to get the Arab side of the equation. Saudi Arabia has not denounced the genocide nor has any other Arab country from what I have read. If anyone knows differently, post a blog so we can see who we need to put pressure on.
If you can, purchase either the book or video of Darfur Diaries. Really great in that both of them bring the genocide to a very real level.
Let's talk on the blog. It seems many members aren't getting the emails.
Robert
I attended my first Save Darfur event today in Carle Place. It was very informative and emotionally impacting. Guest speaker and Darfurian refugee Hamza Ibrahim spoke of his country's history and the grim outlook for its future. He urged us all to contact our senators and congress members to urge them to send UN peacekeepers. Despite suggestions that this type of action would be futile, Mr. Ibrahim reminded us that (in essence) we didn't wait for Hitler's approval to end the Holocaust, and we need not wait for Sudan's approval either.
I believe in the power of prayer and so I will pray for Darfur. I believe in the power of knowledge and so I will continue in my pursuit of understanding by attending events and going online and reading books such as Darfurian Diaries. I believe in the power of numbers and so I will do my part in trying to spread awareness of Darfur by sending letters to newsapapers and talking to friends and family and anyone else I can.
Thank you to Robert for organizing the event and to Nancy for the useful information. I hope to see the event on CH 12 and hope its airing will spread more awareness. As for Mr. Hamza Ibrahim, his story and his face will haunt me and I thank him for his courage and poingnant talk.
I believe in the power of prayer and so I will pray for Darfur. I believe in the power of knowledge and so I will continue in my pursuit of understanding by attending events and going online and reading books such as Darfurian Diaries. I believe in the power of numbers and so I will do my part in trying to spread awareness of Darfur by sending letters to newsapapers and talking to friends and family and anyone else I can.
Thank you to Robert for organizing the event and to Nancy for the useful information. I hope to see the event on CH 12 and hope its airing will spread more awareness. As for Mr. Hamza Ibrahim, his story and his face will haunt me and I thank him for his courage and poingnant talk.
Newsday emailed me notifying me that my letter is under consideration. I was instructed to call and leave a voicemail message to verfy my name, address, phone, and date my letter was sent. I have my fingers crossed and I will post any additional updates here.
Here is a copy of a letter I emailed to a dozen newspaper editors. Using a form from savedarfur.org I was able to compose and send my opions in a matter of minutes. I am waiting for any reply. This is the first time have I have done something like this and I feel proud of my humble attempt toward action and change. You can try the same at Link
Maybe one of us will actually get published! Good luck to any and all of our efforts.
Subject Darfur: A Call to Our Conscience
Message As a concerned citizen, I feel compelled to spread awareness about a modern day holocaust. I first learned about this genocide from a public service poster at my daughter's preschool. Simply stated it read, "Darfur:A Call to Our Conscience." I visited savedarfur.org and was horrified by what I learned.
•400,000 men, women, and children have been killed in Darfur.
•Millions of people have been forced from their homes and face starvation, rape, and the constant threat of violence.
•The UN has already declared the genocide in Darfur to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
Now that the election is over, politicians must make ending the violence in Darfur a priority. Let us remember Rwanda by defending Darfur. Without immediate action we abandon thousands, perhaps millions, to a massacre.
Please don't wait for cable news to report about this crisis. Be a concerned citizen, visit savedarfur.org. Put a lawn sign in front of your house or a savedarfur magnet on your SUV. Do something, anything. When our children grow and one day ask us what we did to stop the mass killings in Darfur, what will we say?
Maybe one of us will actually get published! Good luck to any and all of our efforts.
Subject Darfur: A Call to Our Conscience
Message As a concerned citizen, I feel compelled to spread awareness about a modern day holocaust. I first learned about this genocide from a public service poster at my daughter's preschool. Simply stated it read, "Darfur:A Call to Our Conscience." I visited savedarfur.org and was horrified by what I learned.
•400,000 men, women, and children have been killed in Darfur.
•Millions of people have been forced from their homes and face starvation, rape, and the constant threat of violence.
•The UN has already declared the genocide in Darfur to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
Now that the election is over, politicians must make ending the violence in Darfur a priority. Let us remember Rwanda by defending Darfur. Without immediate action we abandon thousands, perhaps millions, to a massacre.
Please don't wait for cable news to report about this crisis. Be a concerned citizen, visit savedarfur.org. Put a lawn sign in front of your house or a savedarfur magnet on your SUV. Do something, anything. When our children grow and one day ask us what we did to stop the mass killings in Darfur, what will we say?
This is the latest grim picture of the situation, but places the emphasis on Egypt, Russia and China. We can make some noise to these embassies in New York and get some media attention. Any ideas, please post.
Link
Link
An excellent visual and descriptive article in the New York Times describing and seeing one particular camp. Look for the interactive piece entitled "Darfur's Agony".
Click here
Click here
This is an update on the UN efforts. Don't be discouraged. It's just a step back. But we need to act to make those two steps go forward.
">Link
">Link
This is a link to the Washington Post. Very informative and comprehensive overview of Darfur.
Link
Robert
Link
Robert
It appears once again that the Sudanese government is moving toward a favorable settlement with the UN. We need to keep the pressure on as the Sudanese government has been very generous with words but not with action.
Here is the link to the NY Times article:
Link
Robert
Here is the link to the NY Times article:
Link
Robert
SaveDarfur.org has a post called "Religious leaders urge weekend of prayer for Darfur" that's worth checking out.
Religious leaders in the Save Darfur Coalition urged prayer the weekend of Dec. 9-10 to call attention to the ongoing atrocities in the Darfur region of western Sudan. "Nobody knows the exact number" of those killed Read More »
Posts By Month
Posts
Social Networking
Find us online and connect!
Find us online and connect!