Major Darfur Rally Set for Sunday, April 30, in DC
The Rally to Stop Genocide is organized by the Save Darfur Coalition, an alliance of more than 160 faith-based, humanitarian and human rights organizations. The rally is part of the Million Voices for Darfur campaign to generate one million postcards for delivery to President Bush, who recently pledged to push for additional UN and NATO help to protect the people of Darfur.
Per the coalition's website, "We applaud the President's leadership, but the work is far from done. We are urging President Bush to take steps necessary to end the genocide and build a lasting peace."
Speakers confirmed for Sunday's rally include Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Academy Award winner George Clooney and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), as well as the following:
-- Jendayi Frazer (U.S. State Department, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs)
-- Elie Wiesel (Nobel Prize for Peace in 1986, Holocaust survivor)
-- Paul Rusesabagina (Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient whose story was depicted in the film Hotel Rwanda
-- Russell Simmons (founder, Def Jam Recordings, Chairman Foundation for Ethnic Understanding)
-- Joey Cheek (U.S. Olympic Team speed skater, Gold & Silver medalist, Torino, donated his winnings to Darfur charity)
The tour's featured speaker is Brian Steidle, a former Marine captain and U.S. representative to the African Union's peacekeeping mission in Darfur from September 2004 to February 2005. Also speaking at the Rally to Stop Genocide on April 30, 2006 will be pastors, priests and rabbis from all faith walks, including Catholic, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist and many more, plus leaders from the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches.
The rally is also the final stop of the Tour for Darfur: Eyewitness to Genocide, a 21,000 mile photo exhibit and speaking tour of 22 cities in 11 states to raise public awareness about the Darfur crisis.
CLICK HERE for detailed info on Sunday's rally in DC, where you can find directions to the rally, a map of rally area, a printable rally flier, suggested sign slogans and info for special needs/disabilities. About.com's Guide to Washington DC, Rachel Cooper, has additional details on this weekend's rally.
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Related Articles
-- Profile of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois
-- The Politics of George Clooney, Actor and Liberal Activist
-- Profile of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California
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Comments
Why doesn’t Bush advocate liberating these people? It’s surely a greater human rights crisis than Iraqwas.
bush does not act on some level or morality he acts in the intrest of his party and the intrest of the United States. All nations act in their own intrest. Unfortuently there is not much Western intrest in the region of Darfur. We are not in Iraq because we care about human rights, it’s a sideshow.
Let’s see….what could make the difference in the US choosing to fight for “democracy” in Iraq but not in Darfur, where human rights violations are easily more egregious and democracy is non-existent?
Hmmmm….could it be the presence of oil in Iraq, but not in Darfur?
Honestly, we don’t know the answers to Bush apathy and inaction toward the Darfur tragedy, but it’s surely worth close examination.