Drumbeat for Darfur

Marking the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UUSC activists and supporters capped a whirlwind weekend of Drumbeat for Darfur activities with a symbolic Olympic torch relay ending at the Chinese embassy and calls for members of Congress to act quickly to help end the genocide. (Click here for a photo slideshow).

On December 12, two days after the rally and UUSC lobby visits to Capitol Hill, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a Sudan divestment bill that Darfur activists were pressing Congress to enact but had been stuck in the legislative process. The bill is expected to move quickly through the House of Representatives, which passed a similar measure by an overwhelming margin earlier in the year. Grassroots activists need to stay vigilant to ensure President Bush signs the bill into law without issuing a signing statement that may weaken its implementation.

On December 10, International Human Rights Day, UUSC staff and volunteers began the day at a special event at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where they heard speeches by UUSC Board Chair Bill Schulz; Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, co-pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Boston; and UUSC President Charlie Clements. They then visited the museum’s Rescuer’s Wall, where they saw a plaque honoring UUSC’s founders, Martha and Waitstill Sharp, whose legacy of rescuing survivors of the World War II Holocaust inspires our work in Darfur.

From the museum, UUSC participants joined with other activists organized by the Save Darfur Coalition, STAND, the Genocide Intervention Network and Dream for Darfur, participating in a march and rally that took them to the White House, the Sudanese embassy, and the Chinese embassy. IIt aimed to highlight China’s role as the main economic and political supporter of the Khartoum regime.

During the rally, genocide survivors, religious leaders, Olympic medal winners, and keynote speaker Mia Farrow urged immediate action to stop the genocide. The rally ended at the Chinese embassy, where the Olympic torches symbolized a powerful message to China, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The message warned that China’s economic and military support of the Khartoum government will not be tolerated.

After the march and rally, UUSC delegation members went to the Capitol, where they discussed with their senators the urgent need to act on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. These visits focused on the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act and funding for the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force.

UUSC kicked off the weekend on Saturday, December 8, bringing constituents early for lobby trainings and educational workshops on Darfur. Participants watched the film “The Devil Came on Horseback,” a documentary by Brian Steidle, a former U.S. Marine captain who was horrified by what he discovered as an official military observer to the conflict. Participants also had a sneak preview of the new film Darfur Now. The films spearheaded conversation among D.C. Days of Action participants about the genocide, and about the upcoming days of advocacy.

On Sunday, December 9, Days of Action participants were briefed on UUSC’s two-pronged approach to our work in Darfur. First, they learned about UUSC’s programmatic work on the ground, which focuses on defending the rights of women and girls. Secondly, participants learned about long-term legislative advocacy efforts of UUSC, currently focusing on two objectives – divestment from holdings in Sudan, and funding a joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force.

In the afternoon, activists attended a training session, titled “Lobbying 101,” in preparation for Senate visits Monday afternoon. The training empowered participants to speak confidently about Darfur, giving them up-to-date information about relevant legislation and necessary actions to help stop the genocide. Participants were also briefed on their own senators’ voting records around Darfur, and given advice about their approaching visits to their offices.

Click here to learn about funding the peacekeeping force.

Click here for images and video coverage of the DC Days of Action.