The genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

Success! Darfur funding passes in House

2008-05-19T21:40:10Z

Thursday afternoon, the House of Representatives approved an additional $334 million for the UNAMID peacekeeping operation, the hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force in Darfur. As many regular GI-Net readers know, the UNAMID operation has been plagued with a lack of resources and funding — this bill is a huge step toward fixing this problem. Even better — this bill includes $150 million in overdue payments, known as arrears, for UN peacekeeping.

Given the recent upsurge in violence in Sudan, including attacks in North Darfur, the bombing of a Darfurian school, and even more alarming concerns that the recent rebel attack on Khartoum may provoke an armed response in Darfur, adequate funding for this operation is critical to ensuring security for the civilian population of Darfur.

But we aren't out of the woods yet...

Before the 2008 federal budget can become law, the Senate must pass their version of the bill — we need your help to make this happen! The $334 million for Darfur peacekeeping passed by the House might get cut if your senator doesn't stand up for it. Sign up for GI-Net's Action Alert newsletter or bookmark the RSS feed to find out when your phone calls can make the difference in passing this bill and helping to ensure safety for millions of Darfurian civilians still threatened by violence and rape.

Rally for Darfur in Boston

2008-04-25T01:18:16Z

TAKE A

to
STOP GENOCIDE
Come rally STAPLES to be a RESPONSIBLE coporate sponsor
of the 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS!

APRIL 27, 2008
1:00 to 3:00 PM
BOSTON COMMONS
featuring a performance by ADAM EZRA

Hello everyone, my name is Jamie. I am new to this community and am trying to find more communities that I can get to attend this rally. Basically, one of the few leverage points that activists have to end the genocide in Darfur is China. China is the largest arms supplier to the Sudanese government and has three weapon building factories in Sudan. They are also one of the biggest traders, and most importantly- they give the Sudanese government money for its oil (for PetroChina). Unfortunately, many multinational corporations indirectly fund the genocide in Darfur through their trade with China. For instance, Fidelity was a large Chinese company that funded the Sudanese government... Fortunately, as activists we have gotten them to divest a large amount of their money from Sudan. I am proud to say that as a Simmons student, our colleges money is completely divested from anything that would fund Sudan.

The rally is specifically targeting Staples. One of the Student Anti-Genocide Coalition's (STAND) motives is to target any large corporations that are aiding the Olympics in China. Massachusetts has been given Staples since its headquarters are located in Framingham, MA. The connection with Staples and the Beijing Olympics is that they are providing furniture. We believe that their support of China, a country with massive human rights violations in its own country and in its support of others, violates Staples "Code of Ethics".

For more information, visit the yahoo group of the Boston Darfur Coalition. There are many discussion pertaining to this particular events and others that we have been planning in Boston. If you are not located near Boston, visit savedarfur.org, dreamfordarfur.org, or ww.standnow.org/campaigns/seal/about.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Jamie
PS- sorry for the large amount of spelling mistakes, especially with apostrophes (which I somehow was not taught in my life). Also, if you do want to come- please spread the word!! I have fliers available if you would like some copies!

Darfur Dance Production

2008-04-14T03:08:06Z

Two Performances Only
Wednesday April 23, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Thursday April 24, 2008 at 8:00 pm
The Arden Theatre (Haas Stage)
40 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Tickets: $20 (students) $30 (adults)
$15 for groups of five ore more
25% of each ticket purchased will be donated to Global Grassroots

Intended for mature audiences

BUY TICKETS NOW: www.ardentheatre.org or 215 922 1122
MORE INFORMATION: www.rebeccadavisdance.com or 215 840 3890

A one-act modern dance production set to alternative rock music and designed to raise awareness and support for the victims of this 21st century genocide

The evening includes an exhibit of Sudanese children's artwork presented by the Darfur Alert Coalition.

Tell Bush to Stick By His Promises!

2008-03-05T22:13:09Z

Ask your representative to co-sponsor House Resolution 1011.

With the humanitarian crisis stemming from Darfur continuing to destabilize not only Sudan, but the surrounding region, including Chad and the Central African Republic, it has become increasingly urgent that the international community develop, fund, and implement a "comprehensive regional strategy."

The United States and President Bush have the ability and responsibility to protect by using their influential position on the United Nations Security Council and financial ability to provide humanitarian assistance to the region.

House Resolution 1011 urges President Bush to stick to his promises by:

Urging the UN Security Council to implement sanctions against the government of Sudan for its detrimental actions and the continued destabilization of the region, and continue US humanitarian assistance to the refugees and internally displaced people in Chad and the Central African Republic.

This week, ask your representative to call on President Bush to stick to his promises and implement a comprehensive regional strategy by co-sponsoring House Resolution 1011.

darfur_crisis @ 2008-01-16T02:30:00

2008-01-16T07:30:54Z

I have been working on this essay for the last six months. It was inspired in part after one of my class mates (after watching Schindler's List) asked if the Holocaust was really that bad. What I took for common knowledge (the atrocities of the holocaust) other knew little or nothing about. I then realized that in my high school and collage level history classes the holocaust was only mentioned as a side note. Originally this was just about the Nazi holocaust, but as I did more research I realized how many genocidal events had happened that we knew little or nothing about.

As of Jan 16th 2008 I do not have my reference page done, but it will be added.

I am looking for some views and constructive crit. on my essay.

The Essay

Non-USA?

2007-12-27T14:52:18Z

I just joined this community and was wondering if there are people from outside of the United States here?

I'm from Europe (Amsterdam) and I'd love to talk to someone from Europe about what we can do for Darfur. In America there seem to be lots of activities for Darfur, but I have never heard of that over here. So, just wondering... anyone?

Darfur - The Genocide Movie

2007-12-23T18:04:01Z

The editors of jn1034 have also called attention to Darfur Now, a film that will already be known to some.

Last Step for Sudan Divestment: Tell Bush to Sign Bill!

2007-12-19T23:47:34Z

On Tuesday, December 18, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act with a vote of 411-0. Now we need your help with the last step!

President Bush has 10 days to sign the bill into law. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE and ask President Bush to sign SADA.

During his first year in office, President Bush wrote the words, "Not on my watch" in the margins of a memo on the genocide in Rwanda. Help President Bush to remember his promise.

Call President Bush and ask him to sign the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act.

Call as soon as you can -- if it's after hours, help us fill the comment line with pro-Darfur messages! Your support is critical in ensuring that American dollars are not enabling the genocidal government in Khartoum. Call today!

We Did It! US Companies Won't Fund Genocide in Darfur!

2007-12-13T20:12:37Z

We Did It! Sudan Divestment Passes the Senate!

Great news! Late last night, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (PDF). It was a tough fight and opposition to the bill was only overcome after thousands of Americans from all 50 states called and e-mailed their Senators.

Thanks for your work to pass the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (SADA)! Please help us keep up the fight by contributing to GI-Net.

SADA is a huge blow to the small group of foreign companies funding the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Already, three companies have suspended their Sudan operations fearing that SADA will become law. To keep our elected officials engaged on the issue, it is important to call and thank your Senators for supporting this important measure.

Please call 1-800-GENOCIDE and thank your Senators for passing SADA.

What's Next: Ensuring SADA Becomes Law

SADA will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. In August, the House passed a similar bill, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, with a vote of 418-1. On Monday, the House is expected to quickly pass SADA by an overwhelming majority.

Once the House passes SADA, President Bush will have ten days to sign the bill into law. Your calls and e-mails will be critical as President Bush has been unsupportive of the bill.

Please help us to continue our advocacy efforts and to expand our civilian protection efforts on the ground in Darfur. Make a contribution today.

Thanks for all you do to end genocide!

Sudan: Blocking Darfur Mission

2007-11-28T06:29:49Z

This doesn't surprise me at all. It was too good to be true.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7116284.stm

"Should the anticipated discussions fail to clear the path to the deployment of an effective force, the international community will be confronted with hard choices," Mr Guehenno said.

Like we didn't see this coming.

China: Exploiting or helping Darfur?

2007-11-24T18:38:06Z

Interesting article at the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7111206.stm), it seems that China has sent 135 engineers, part of the UN mandate for 26 000 peacekeepers to be deployed in Darfur, and the rebels want them out of the country. Personally I can’t blame them.

"We oppose them coming because China is not interested in human rights. It is just interested in Sudan's resources," he said.

"We are calling on them to quit Sudan, especially the petroleum areas."

I think these two quotes from the BBC say it all. It’s known that China is purely interested in Darfur’s oil and for it they have been proving funding which has been going towards the genocide occurring in Darfur. Moreover, this is purely a front by the Chinese in hoping to help their reputation with the Beijing Winter Olympics coming up. Leader of the rebels, Khalil Ibrahim, says he is not sure if he will attack the rebels or not, but his quote sums this whole situation up the best,

“What I am saying is that they are taking our oil for blood."

Personally, I 100% agree.

darfur_crisis @ 2007-11-08T22:04:00

2007-11-09T03:04:45Z

Causes 1 is a limited edition release focused on helping victims of the ongoing human rights crisis in Darfur. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to three non-profit organizations: Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam America. The album features rare, unreleased, remixed, and live music from some of today's best bands.

The pre-order for this album ends November 21st.

Click here to preorder your copy!

Tracklisting:

animal collective - safer (exclusive live version)
the black keys - stay all night (exclusive chulahoma session)
bloc party - rhododendrons
bright eyes - coat check dream song (exclusive live version)
cornelius - wataridori 2 (exclusive version)
david sylvian - late night shopping (exclusive chris vrenna remix)
death cab for cutie - world shut your mouth (rare julian cope cover)
the (international) noise conspiracy - washington bullets
the cure - the walk (exclusive live version)
the shins - turn on me (exclusive clint mansell remix)
spoon - rhthm & soul (exclusive middle version)
teargas & plateglass - one day across the valley
thievery corporation - the passing stars feat. pam bricker
travis - gimme some truth (exclusive john lennon cover)

'Darfur Now' Film with Don Cheadle: Opening Soon Near You!

2007-10-30T00:29:53Z

Don't miss "Darfur Now," the new documentary featuring "Hotel Rwanda" star Don Cheadle, and the Genocide Intervention Network's own Adam Sterling, director of the Sudan Divestment Task Force! Coming to select theaters on Nov. 2 and 9, 2007.

"This film is a great example of a film that can make a difference," said Angelina Jolie. Learn more about the film:

"Darfur Now" is a story of hope in the midst of one of humanity's darkest hours -- a call to action for people everywhere to end the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. In this documentary, the struggles and achievements of six different individuals from inside Darfur and around the world bring to light the tragedy in Sudan and show how the actions of one person can make a difference to millions.

Learn more, watch trailers and find showtimes in your area.

Written and directed by Ted Braun, the film explores the Darfur conflict through the first-hand experiences of Don Cheadle, Hejewa Adam, Pablo Recalde, Ahmed Mohammed Abakar, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and GI-Net's Adam Sterling.

At 24 years old, Adam Sterling is just of one of many young people involved in the fight to help the people of Darfur. A UCLA student whose Jewish grandmother fled Nazi Germany, Adam learned about the situation in Darfur and felt he had to do something. Despite his youth and inexperience in the political arena, he works to get a bill passed that will keep California's State funds out of Sudan. Amazingly, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the bill.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, dreams of achieving justice for the people of Darfur. At the request of the United Nations Security Council, he launches investigations into the complex and horrifying crimes in Darfur and manages to secure arrest warrants against a top Sudanese official and one of the leaders of the Janjaweed militias. From his position on the world stage, he relentlessly pursues the perpetrators of the worst crimes in Darfur.

Academy Award-nominated actor Don Cheadle first learned about the situation in Darfur while working on Hotel Rwanda, a film that dramatized the Rwandan genocide. Don was inspired to travel to Darfur and use his celebrity to shine a light on the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur. In Darfur Now Don travels the world, along with fellow actor George Clooney, to pressure government officials and world leaders to act. He also uses his book, Not On Our Watch, as a vehicle to meet people face to face to show them the steps they can take to get involved.

Once a respected builder and farmer in a Darfur village, Ahmed Mohammed Abakar fled his home and now resides in Hamadea camp with 47,000 other internally displaced Darfurians. Asked to lead the people of Hamadea, he is charged with holding his community together, navigating the complex world of international aid agencies, and protecting the camp from hostile local authorities, corruption, and the threat of attack by militias. Sheikh Ahmed dreams of someday returning to his home.

Raised by socially aware and politically committed parents in Ecuador, Pablo Recalde is a man dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable people on the planet. Horrified by the conditions in Darfur, he left his wife and children to work in one of the world's most dangerous places. Leader of the World Food Program team in West Darfur, he mobilizes massive convoys to deliver food to the suffering people of the region. Amid shootings, high-jackings, terrorist threats, and an ongoing civil war, Pablo is driven to end the suffering he sees around him.

Hejewa Adam had been a mother who dreamt of going back to school until her West Darfur village was attacked and destroyed by Janjaweed militias and government forces. When she fled, her three-month-old son was beaten to death as he clung to her back. She faces two choices -- abandon her home forever or join the rebels to bring justice and peace back to Sudan. Determined to help defend the Fur people of Western Darfur, Hejewa joins the rebels.

DARFUR NOW TRAILER

Learn more, watch trailers and find showtimes in your area.

darfur_crisis @ 2007-10-24T15:27:00

2007-10-24T20:30:29Z

Today I wore a shirt saying "Dream for Darfur" & in lunch, these sophomores started saying "Fuck Darfur Fuck Darfur", every so often for about 15 minutes. To me, I wasn't getting angry, I was sad, sad to the point where I was crying. I managed to be depressed for the whole day, & still kind of am. My friends & my mom said to ignore it but I can't. To me, the aim of wanting to say it on a personal level of just berating me had nothing to do with it but the fact of what little soul those kids have bothered me to no end. Anyone ever had this encounter?

darfur_crisis @ 2007-10-24T13:11:00

2007-10-24T17:16:41Z

Everytime you use GoodSearch they will donate one cent to your chosen charity. There is also an option to download it as a toolbar which makes searching even easier. Since its inception GoodSearch has donated $4,143.70 to Save Darfur. I know its small gesture but every dollar helps.

Also, I apologize if this was previously posted.

Darfur and the Olympics

2007-08-29T13:41:27Z

Olympic Dream for Darfur is an organization trying to use the Olympics to bring attention to Darfur and to put pressure on countries supporting the Sudanese government (China). Unlike some other similar organizations, it is not a boycott of the games. It's more of a call to China to live up to the ideal of the games, that is, international peace, and their own slogan for the games: One World. One Dream (hence the name "Dream for Darfur").

Here's a self description: (in the leaflet)
Olympic Dream for Darfur does not support a boycott of the Olympics.
Our campaign believes in the ideal of the Olympic Games as a symbol of peace
and international cooperation. We do not advocate withdrawal by any nation from this essential forum.

We do believe, however, that the privilege of hosting the Olympics comes
with responsibilities, including acting as a global leader for peace.
There would be no greater example of the Olympic spirit at work than for the
host nation of the 2008 Games to work to alleviate the brutal suffering in western Sudan – suffering in which it is currently complicit.

Go look.

GIN Update

2007-08-27T13:22:20Z

Checked Genocide Intervention because I realized I haven't for a while, and was surprised to learn of violence growing in a new region: Kordofan.

Here's a regional map of Sudan to help (it also shows how enormous Darfur is, proportionally). The capital, Khartoum, is tiny.

Nothing but nets

2007-08-16T13:44:25Z

Mosquito nets to prevent malaria in the rainy season (right now):
http://www.nba.com/bulls/community/deng_letter_070801.html

LISTEN UP!

2007-08-15T22:24:43Z

LISTEN UP! I know you've been reading bulletins and stuff about Darfur and I know most of you HAVE NOT helped out! Why? Darfur is a country in Africa where hundreds of thousands of men, women and children are bing TORTURED, RAPED, and KILLED for no reason! And you can help stop this coilence! This survey seriously asked THREE questions that you can answer as little or as much as you want. The count is just over 7500 right now, and we need to get 10,000 surveys done by TOMORROW! Would it kill you to take TWO minutes of your time to help innocent people who are being tortured and killed every day? Can you really sit back and think 'that doesn't matter, I don't care, it doesn't affect me' and sleep at night? HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people are being killed in Darfur and YOU can help! And you think it doesn't affect you? How do you know that one day this genocide won't escape the borders of Darfur? How do you know that we won't experience another Holocaust? How do you know? How can you be sure? You know you can be sure? FILL OUT THIS SMALL THREE QUESTION SURVEY TODAY! ALl you have to do it go to this URL http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973 and fill it out. You don't need to sign up for anything. You won't get a million emails. You will however get a sense of accomplishment and peace of mind.

Repost that URL everywhere you can think to put it. EVERYWHERE. Let as many people know as possible! We need LOTS more surverys filled out by TOMORROW! Take my name out of this and repost this, I don't care! Find my other bulletins explaining more aout it and repost that too!

Do what you know is right.

http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973
http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973
http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973
http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973
http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973
http://www.lifenets.net/dev/?q=node/15&refid=973

Repost that URL everywhere you can think to put it. EVERYWHERE. Let as many people know as possible! We need LOTS more surveys filled out by TOMORROW!

Hearts and Hands blogathon for children!! :)

2007-08-02T21:09:20Z

HI! J

I know this isn’t the normal conversation but I thought this was something really cool and should tell you guys!

Spread the word… Hearts and Hands International, a non-profit charity, is having a Blog-athon. Today only – until 9pm (MT).

Please help out by visiting www.heartsandhandsinternational.org/blogathon.html

You don’t need to donate, they’re just looking for traffic.

If you can…. Hearts and Heads would really appreciate it if you could post a short blog with a link back so we can help spread the word. That would really help make this spread like “wild fire”!!

Hearts and Hands helps out at-risk children around the world… it never hurts to raise awareness.

Emily S.

Ask the Senate to Keep Up the Pressure on Sudan!

2007-08-02T20:56:50Z

Thanks in part to your phone call, on Tuesday the House of Representatives passed the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act (DADA) 418 to 1! Later that day, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the deployment of an UN–African Union hybrid force of up to 26,000 peacekeepers to Darfur.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE now and ask your senator to support DADA!

To ensure the government of Sudan accepts these peacekeepers, we must increase the pressure on Sudan's leaders. Now that the House has passed legislation that would put real economic pressure on the government of Sudan, the Senate must act!

Now the Senate has an unprecedented opportunity to pass the most significant piece of legislation to date on Darfur.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE now and ask your senator to support DADA!

--Sam, Allyson, and the Genocide Intervention Network team

darfur_crisis @ 2007-07-28T18:56:00

2007-07-28T22:57:51Z

Hey there everyone
So I do this thing where I make and sell custom, one-of-a-kind tote bags and tshirts which I paint and/or screenprint to the customer's liking.

So I've decided that I'm going to start making totes and tshirts and donating the proceeds to the save darfur coalition (www.savedarfur.org for more info)

So if you want to join me in helping the cause, please visit my website
http://www.myspace.com/ourselvesinthesea

Soon I'll have pictures up of the special totes and tshirts that I'll be making, which you can order and all the money will go to the save darfur coalition.

please please please consider donating. it's a really good and trustworthy cause.

http://www.myspace.com/ourselvesinthesea

thanks all!
♥

YouTube Debate: Ask Candidates to Divest to Stop Genocide!

2007-07-23T20:25:00Z

Darfur must be a priority for the next president! Watch the video question below, submitted by anti-genocide activist Danielle, asking each of the candidates to personally divest from companies funding the Darfur genocide.

Then share the video with your friends. The more people who watch the video before 7PM (Eastern) tonight, the more likely the question will be asked in the debate!

Thank you for your continuing support!

--Colin, Ivan and the Genocide Intervention Network team

Darfur Underground Megalake

2007-07-20T18:38:02Z

http://video.news.com.au/videoplayer?channel=Human+Interest&clipid=887818&bitrate=300&format=wmp