SAVE DARFUR

December’s Darfur Hero

Big Kenny has been an outspoken advocate for the people of Darfur since early 2006 when he met former Marine Captain Brian Steidle on his Eyewitness to Genocide Tour. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to increase awareness about the ongoing genocide – speaking about the situation at all of his concerts and public appearances. He has spoken and performed at the Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide on the National Mall in Washington and Voices to Stop Genocide rally in New York’s Central Park. Last October, Big Kenny and his wife, Christiev, traveled to Akon, Sudan to deliver musical instruments, medical and school supplies, and clothing to the Kunyuk School for Girls. He has also donated generously to humanitarian and advocacy groups.

You might know me as half of the country duo, Big & Rich. What you might not know is how serious I am about seeing an end to the crisis in Darfur. Like you, I became a Darfur activist when I realized that there was an ongoing genocide occurring on our earth. Not in a book or a film or a museum, but in stark, sad reality.

The people of Darfur have been handed a death sentence by Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, whose name can be uttered in the same breath as Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and Milosevic without thinking twice.

The United Nations has resolved to help the people of Darfur by creating a joint peacekeeping force with the African Union called UNAMID. While this seems like it should be cause for celebration, this same plan has failed before due to resistance from the Sudanese government, its ally China and a lack of effective international diplomacy.

Together, we must continue to demand immediate action to protect the people of Darfur, regardless of the political obstacles.

Dedicated Darfur activists, like you, have been voices of hope and strength for the people of Darfur. Without you, the U.S. government and world leaders would still be ignoring the genocide in Darfur.

No matter where I am, I take advantage of every opportunity to raise awareness of the crisis in Darfur and demand action. I would spend every nickel I could get my hands on to help these people. Darfur is the worst humanitarian crisis on our earth and it is time we did something to stop it -- permanently.

You have the power to bring more people into the movement. Amplify your voice by telling others about Darfur and then assist them in becoming Darfur activists. Ask your friends, family, co-workers, fellow community members and strangers to join the movement to save Darfur. It’s easy: just ask them to sign up here, at http://www.SaveDarfur.org.

If these were our children in our neighborhoods, there is no way on earth we would tolerate such blatant abuses of humanity. Rape as a tool of war is completely unimaginable and unacceptable, yet everyday this continues to happen in Darfur. We – as people of conscience – have to scream for our brothers and sisters around the world to WAKE UP and we must all work together to stop this atrocity! One by one we’ll grow into a voice that cannot be ignored.

Love Everybody,
Big Kenny

Photos: Love Everybody Team Sudan