I thought you might all be interested in an ariticle that was
published today written by GWSTAND member Jusitn Zorn. This is
incredible, I encourage others to do the same.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpnewvoices29b012905jan29,1,624\
8026,print.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

NEW VOICES

A promise to keep
By Justin M. Zorn
New Voices

January 29, 2005

WASHINGTON -- In 1994, the state Legislature made Florida the first
state to mandate Holocaust education in the public schools. The
purpose of this law was not merely to instill a sense of sympathy for
victims or even educate students on the awful consequences of racism,
however. Making sure every student confronts the unthinkable horror
that took place, this law directs our schools to equip new generations
to understand and honor our solemn promise to the world: Never shall
we allow this to happen again.

Today, the deaths of more than 90,000 innocent people through the
brutality of militias supported by the government of Sudan attest to
one painful fact: It's happening again.

The crisis began in February 2003, when a small number of non-Arab
African citizens from Darfur (a region roughly the size of Texas)
began a rebellion against Sudan's government in response to decades of
neglect and repression. In response, the government recruited and
armed groups of notoriously violent Arab militias known as the
janjaweed, meaning "armed devil on horseback" in Arabic. Rather than
targeting the rebel groups, these fighters have made a practice of
attacking civilians first and foremost. Assisted by bombing raids from
the Sudanese air force, they burn farming villages, killing men and
children, raping women in large numbers, hoping to repopulate the
region with Arabs. One refugee told New York Times columnist Nicholas
Kristof that "the Arabs want to get rid of anyone with black skin. . .
. There are no blacks left [in the area I fled]." The United States
Agency for International Development warns that 350,000 or more
civilians may die over the coming months. Further, at least 2 million
have been displaced, and untold numbers have been raped or wounded.

America is the world's greatest power and a moral leader of nations.
But where is our strength or morality when we stand idly by as tens of
thousands of human beings are murdered on the basis of their religion
or the color of their skin?

This is happening right now. Visit www.SaveDarfur.org, the Web site of
a coalition of 100 Christian, Jewish, Muslim and humanitarian groups
allied to bring an end to the slaughter in Darfur. Educate others on
the situation, and write or e-mail your members of Congress, telling
them to put more pressure on the government of Sudan. Do everything in
your power to give meaning to our essential promise -- "Never again."

Justin M. Zorn, 19, graduated from Lake Brantley High School in 2004.
He is a freshman majoring in international development and security at
The George Washington University.

--
Sara Weisman

2222 Eye Street NW
Room 312
Washington, DC 20052
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