It's amazing to me how we only have 92 signatures on our petition to boycott the corporate sponsorhip of the 2008 Olympics. Every day I get bombarded by chain emails asking me to add my name to a list & pass it around. Hundreds of names are already there & yet, we only have 92 signatures on a petition that could possibly save thousands of lives in the Sudan.

My husband recently found an article on www.therawstory.com that I want to share, in part, here with you. The Sudanese embaassord specifically uses Coca Cola (the soda) as a weapon against the west. This is truly where we could put some pressure on the Sudanese government to stop the killings.

I hope people will read this, stop buying Coke Products and SIGN THE PETITION.

Link



TAKEN FROM THE RAW STORY:
Karl -- a.k.a. John Ukec Lueth Ukec, the Sudanese ambassador to Washington -- held a news conference at the National Press Club yesterday to respond to President Bush's new sanctions against his regime. In his hour-long presentation, he described a situation in his land that bore no relation to reality.

Genocide in the Darfur region? "The United States is the only country saying that what is happening in Darfur is a genocide," Ukec shouted, gesticulating wildly and perspiring from his bald crown. "I think this is a pretext."

Ah. So what about the more than 400,000 dead? "See how many people are dying in Darfur: None," he said.

And the 2 million displaced? "I am not a statistician."

Khartoum Karl went on to say that, all evidence to the contrary, his government does not support the murderous Janjaweed militia. "It cannot happen," he said, "so rule it out." As for the Sudanese regime itself: "We are the agents of peace, people like me, my colleagues who are in the central government of Sudan."

What's more, the good and peaceful leaders of Sudan were prepared to retaliate massively: They would cut off shipments of the emulsifier gum arabic, thereby depriving the world of cola.

"I want you to know that the gum arabic which runs all the soft drinks all over the world, including the United States, mainly 80 percent is imported from my country," the ambassador said after raising a bottle of Coca-Cola.

A reporter asked if Sudan was threatening to "stop the export of gum arabic and bring down the Western world."

"I can stop that gum arabic and all of us will have lost this," Khartoum Karl warned anew, beckoning to the Coke bottle. "But I don't want to go that way."

As diplomatic threats go, that one gets high points for creativity: Try to stop the killings in Darfur, and we'll take away your Coca-Cola.

China is hosting the 2008 Olympics. We are all aware of China's relationship with the Sudanese goverment, which aids the genocide of millons in the Darfur/Chad regions. We need to take this opportunity to shame the host of the 2008 Olympics and it's corporate sponsors. W also need to put pressure on Steven Spielberg, who is participating in the opening ceremonies. Below are ways you can help let the world know it's time to end the crisis in Darfur.

Who: Johnson & Johnson (1 800 526 3967), Coca-Cola (404 676 2121), General Electric (203 373 2211) and McDonald's (630 623 3000). All sponsors of the 2008 Olympics. CALL THEM. Let these corporate giants know you will not purchase their products if they continue their support of the 2008 Olympics in China.

Speilberg: Email him to let him know of his responsibility. How can he host in a country known for violating human rights? A country who is, essentially, funding the genocide in Darfur/Chad? Threaten him where it hurts, too--his wallet. Boycott his production companies Dreamworks and Amblin Entertainment.

We had the pleasure of hosting Joe Fitzgerlad, professor of History at Gloucster County College, at the Cinnaminson Moravian church a few weekends ago. The topic of his talk was How to Sustain a Social Movement based on the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Here are some of his suggestions:

1. If you don't understand the history/regligion of the other side, you cannot debate effectively. So educate yourself. Learn more about the United States history with the Sudan.
2. Reach out to the local Sudanese community in your neighborhoods. Ask how you can help.
3. Go to Churches, Mosques, Synagouges & other places of worship to pass out information on the crisis in Darfur.
4. Send cards, packages, etc to victims in the Sudan to let them know they are not alone.
5. Remember, the Personal is Political. So if you are finding the people you are talking with about the crisis in Darfur aren't responding the way you would like, make it personal. If you are talking with a woman let them know about the sexual abuse.
6. Have a Die-in/Sit-in/Chain or other public protest.

Below is a list I got from Oprah.com. It's a great way to think about how we can help get the word out. Our group is already in the process of planning a film night and inviting a speaker. This week we are all calling the White house to make sure the President is aware of our concerns.


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.

One of our members, Isa, found some great links to help further educate us on the Darfur/Chad genocide:

http://www.pbs.org/frontlin...

http://hrw.org/video/2005/m...

http://topics.nytimes.com/t...

the new york times also has some video about africa in the area surounding sudan which is also in turmoil and could add to the troubles of the people in sudan. areas like chad, central africa

12 people have signed up to attend our first "Get to Know Us" meeting at Whole Foods on the 11th of December. I'm thrilled so many are eager to help with this terrible situation in Darfur. With so many attending, I know we'll come up with constructive ways to really make a difference to those being tortured and killed in Africa.

I'll report back to let everyone know how it went, what we discussed and our plan of action.

With the year quickly nearing its end I'm thinking towards 2007 with great anticipation. I just know that we will all be spreading the word about Darfur in 2007, helping to educate our families, friends, & neighbors.

I've been thinking about having a fundraiser or two in the new year, to help raise money for our friends in Darfur. Maybe have a few local bands play pro bono to raise funds?

I've set up my first official meeting on the 18th of Dec in Center City, but am looking forward to meeting in other parts of the DE Valley area, making new friends as we work for a common cause.