January/February Events
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Our Mission: To inform the
general public of the crisis in
Darfur and to encourage
involvement in its resolution.
general public of the crisis in
Darfur and to encourage
involvement in its resolution.
They give thanks every night, these Darfuris. They lower their
bodies and raise their voice to Allah, giving thanks for what they
have.
To an observer from another part of the world, what they have
may seem to be only misery, poverty, hunger and the daily
potential of violent death.
The Darfurs don’t see it that way. They give thanks for a cup of
water, a bit of meat in the rice, a sheet of plastic to use for
shelter, for the family that has survived, for the occasional
stranger who comes to help.
Despite intense efforts by many people all around the world,
the genocide continues in the western region of Sudan called
Darfur. The bands of northern militia called janjaweed, “devil
riders,” continue their daily raids, raping, killing, burning,
stealing.
The Darfuris, more than two million of them, driven from their
homes, continue to scrape by in scores of camps in Darfur and
neighboring Chad. Dozens of humanitarian organizations do
their best to provide at least basic services, but often they are
forced to pull out when Sudanese bombers and helicopters,
followed by troops and the Janjaweed, come sweeping through
the countryside, firing indiscriminately.
It is difficult now to remember how happy we were on May
5th, 2006, when international pressure led to the signing of a
peace treaty between the Sudanese government and the most
important of the Darfur rebel groups. The agreement fell apart so
quickly that its mention now just brings bemused smiles to
Darfuri refugees and internally displaced people.
There was another glimmer of hope this fall when the U-N
organized a peace conference under the aegis of Libya’s Moamar
Ghadaffi, of all people. This time it was the rebel groups who
refused to participate, dashing hopes in the region.
Frustration is the daily portion of those who care about the
helpless people of Darfur, but it must not be allowed to triumph.
Many avenues to success still remain open. Individual economic
sanctions on Sudanese leaders have worked in the past and can
again. The International Criminal Court sends chills down the
backs of powerful people who have things to hide. China, Sudan’
s most important trading partner, is vulnerable because of its
ambitions on the world stage. The U-N, slow out of the gate, has
been exerting greater pressure and stands ready to send in a
formidable peacekeeping force. There is an important
groundswell for resolution of this crisis from the people of the
United States.
We have failed so far, but that does not mean we will always
fail. The lives of literally millions of people hang in the balance.
What reporter Samantha Power called a “slow-motion genocide”
must be stopped.
Tonight, the Darfuris will say their prayers of thanks, then
sleep the sleep of hope for their children.
Giving up is not an option. Not for them. Not for us.
Nick Clooney
28 November 2007
bodies and raise their voice to Allah, giving thanks for what they
have.
To an observer from another part of the world, what they have
may seem to be only misery, poverty, hunger and the daily
potential of violent death.
The Darfurs don’t see it that way. They give thanks for a cup of
water, a bit of meat in the rice, a sheet of plastic to use for
shelter, for the family that has survived, for the occasional
stranger who comes to help.
Despite intense efforts by many people all around the world,
the genocide continues in the western region of Sudan called
Darfur. The bands of northern militia called janjaweed, “devil
riders,” continue their daily raids, raping, killing, burning,
stealing.
The Darfuris, more than two million of them, driven from their
homes, continue to scrape by in scores of camps in Darfur and
neighboring Chad. Dozens of humanitarian organizations do
their best to provide at least basic services, but often they are
forced to pull out when Sudanese bombers and helicopters,
followed by troops and the Janjaweed, come sweeping through
the countryside, firing indiscriminately.
It is difficult now to remember how happy we were on May
5th, 2006, when international pressure led to the signing of a
peace treaty between the Sudanese government and the most
important of the Darfur rebel groups. The agreement fell apart so
quickly that its mention now just brings bemused smiles to
Darfuri refugees and internally displaced people.
There was another glimmer of hope this fall when the U-N
organized a peace conference under the aegis of Libya’s Moamar
Ghadaffi, of all people. This time it was the rebel groups who
refused to participate, dashing hopes in the region.
Frustration is the daily portion of those who care about the
helpless people of Darfur, but it must not be allowed to triumph.
Many avenues to success still remain open. Individual economic
sanctions on Sudanese leaders have worked in the past and can
again. The International Criminal Court sends chills down the
backs of powerful people who have things to hide. China, Sudan’
s most important trading partner, is vulnerable because of its
ambitions on the world stage. The U-N, slow out of the gate, has
been exerting greater pressure and stands ready to send in a
formidable peacekeeping force. There is an important
groundswell for resolution of this crisis from the people of the
United States.
We have failed so far, but that does not mean we will always
fail. The lives of literally millions of people hang in the balance.
What reporter Samantha Power called a “slow-motion genocide”
must be stopped.
Tonight, the Darfuris will say their prayers of thanks, then
sleep the sleep of hope for their children.
Giving up is not an option. Not for them. Not for us.
Nick Clooney
28 November 2007
Here's Why...
| News |
11/26/07: E!'s "The Daily 10" names Top 10
Celebrity Do-Gooders
On November 26th, E!'s "The Daily 10" dedicated its
number one spot to the stars who give back.
Coming in at #9: Don Cheadle for his involvement with
Darfur. He has visited the area and testified before
Congress on the issue. Also, he narrates the new
documentary "Darfur Now."
Ranking at #4: George Clooney for his valiant efforts in
Darfur. He snuck in cameras to photograph the atrocities.
Get the whole story (and pictures) here
Celebrity Do-Gooders
On November 26th, E!'s "The Daily 10" dedicated its
number one spot to the stars who give back.
Coming in at #9: Don Cheadle for his involvement with
Darfur. He has visited the area and testified before
Congress on the issue. Also, he narrates the new
documentary "Darfur Now."
Ranking at #4: George Clooney for his valiant efforts in
Darfur. He snuck in cameras to photograph the atrocities.
Get the whole story (and pictures) here
12/05/07: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
presses for action in Darfur
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that
he plans to send envoys to the Sudanese president to
convince him to allow non-Africans in the 26,000
peacekeeping troops for Darfur.
Read the whole story from Associated Press here
presses for action in Darfur
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that
he plans to send envoys to the Sudanese president to
convince him to allow non-Africans in the 26,000
peacekeeping troops for Darfur.
Read the whole story from Associated Press here
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Cincinnati for Darfur |
1/2008: Darfur Missionary to speak in Cincinnati
Father David Bohnsack, a Camboni Priest who has lived
and worked in Darfur for the last 10 years, will speak to
Cincinnatians in March. More details to come!
Father David Bohnsack, a Camboni Priest who has lived
and worked in Darfur for the last 10 years, will speak to
Cincinnatians in March. More details to come!
| Red = Breakfast Brigade Green = Darfur-Specific Event Violet = Humanitarian Event Click on Links for Event Specifics |
1/2008: GCAFD Reorganizing
Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur is in the process
of restructuring, so that it can work toward the goal of
peace in Darfur with more strength than ever. Meetings
will begin again soon.
Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur is in the process
of restructuring, so that it can work toward the goal of
peace in Darfur with more strength than ever. Meetings
will begin again soon.
1/22/08: Sudanese Government breaks truce,
bombs more villages in Darfur, killing civilians
More bombardments just days after Sudanese President
Omar al-Bashir vows to a ceasefire
Read the whole story from BBC News here
bombs more villages in Darfur, killing civilians
More bombardments just days after Sudanese President
Omar al-Bashir vows to a ceasefire
Read the whole story from BBC News here
2/12/2008: Steven Speilburg drops out of
Olympic Advisory position due to China's
refusal to help in Darfur
Read the whole story from cnn.com here
Olympic Advisory position due to China's
refusal to help in Darfur
Read the whole story from cnn.com here
2/2008: DARFURI REFUGEES TO SPEAK IN
CINCINNATI ON TUESDAY, 2/26!
Personal Stories of Genocide:
A national speaking tour of Darfuri refugees.
Thomas Moore College, Tuesday, February 26th, 7 pm
Steigerwald Hall in Holbrook Student Center
CINCINNATI ON TUESDAY, 2/26!
Personal Stories of Genocide:
A national speaking tour of Darfuri refugees.
Thomas Moore College, Tuesday, February 26th, 7 pm
Steigerwald Hall in Holbrook Student Center