GW College Democrats, GW College Republicans, GW STAND, Wear the Cause LLC are proud to announce:

Stephen Krieger, a highly regarded Darfur activist, will address our organizations

TOMORROW January 29^th 8 PM, Marvin Center 3^rd floor Grand Ballroom

Recognizing the horrific nature of the situation in Darfur, we have decided to work cooperatively between our two groups on this issue important issue.

Mr. Krieger is a leading activist against the genocide in Darfur.  He began organizing with the Save Darfur Coalition in 2004 by hosting fundraisers with family and friends. He has also led efforts within his faith-based group to help raise money for the Darfur refugees.  We are honored that Mr. Krieger has agreed to come speak at GW.

--
Sara Weisman

Sara.Weisman@...
609-937-3190

In other News....

JCRC Virginia Action Alert:

-- Please Distribute Widely --

Supporting HB1828 "Targeted Divestment from Darfur"

CALL OR EMAIL THE HOUSE Appropriation Subcommittee on Compensation & Retirement

Before 3pm Today

Background:   Virginia is the first of 25 States that will vote this year on divesting resources from Sudan.  HB1828 (Dels Valentine & O'Bannon) and its companion SB 1331 (Sens Cuccinelli, Devolites-Davis,&  Ticer) call on the Virginia Retirement System to divest from companies that enable the Sudanese government to carry out genocide in Darfur. Six states, 30 universities and several cities & localities have already enacted similar measures as divestment campaigns unfold in Europe, Canada and Africa.

Talking Points:

·     We must take a moral stand: This is the first time in history that a massacre has been officially declared a genocide while the atrocities are still ongoing.  In February 2003, the Sudanese government began a brutal campaign of genocide against the people of Darfur. Four years later violence still rages in the region. 90% of Darfur's villages have been destroyed, over 400,000 have been slaughtered, and nearly 3 million have been displaced. The time to act is NOW.

·        Divestment can work:   Divestment has worked in Sudan in the past – both our federal U.S. embargo and others – were instrumental in getting the Sudanese government to end its civil war in the South and end its support of international terrorism. Targeted divestment can work again – and that's why both the Council Foreign Relations and the International Crisis Group have endorsed this effort.

·        This Divestment is Targeted: Out of the 400+ international companies operating in Sudan, roughly two dozen companies are currently targeted for engagement. (Because the United States maintains sanctions against Sudan, no United States companies are targeted for divestment.)  These "scrutinized" companies have a business relationship with the Sudanese government or government-created project, fail to benefit civilians outside of government controlled circles, fail to reasonably address the genocide through corporate action, and have proven unresponsive to repeated attempts at shareholder engagement. These firms typically come from the oil, mineral extraction, and power sectors in Sudan – some of which are already responding to the threat of divestment and beginning to adopt more responsible behavior in Sudan

·        This Divestment is Fiscally Responsible: HB1828 and its Senate companion SB1331 will affect the Virginia Retirement System's investments in 8 companies – less than .2% of VRS's total market value.  The legislation includes provisions at the request of VRS to extend its negotiation period with targeted companies beyond 15 months if necessary and allows VRS to discontinue divestment if the costs of implementation exceed 0.5% (50 basis points) of the total assets managed by the

Action:   This proposed will be heard today at 3:30pm in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Retirement and Compensation.  

·        Call or Send this letter to the committee's 6 members now!

·        Thank Congressman Wolf for lending is leadership and support to this effort!

·        Ask Governor Kaine to join us in urging the General Assembly to action! President Bush let us know the urgency of the genocide in Darfur in his State of the Union – now our state executives must act as well

Putney, Lacey E.        (804) 698-1019         DelLPutney@...

Hogan, Clarke N.      (804) 698-1060         DelCHogan@...

Ingram, Riley E.         (804) 698-1062         DelRIngram@...

Joannou, Johnny S.     (804) 698-1079         DelJJoannou@...

Tata, Robert               (804) 698-1085         DelBTata@...

Ware, Onzlee              (804) 698-1011         DelOWare@...

Draft Letter:

Dear Delegate _________:

Our statewide Jewish community brought thousands together last Spring urging our country to do more to stop the genocide in Darfur and now I join with the Jewish Community Relations Councils of Greater Washington and Richmond and congregations around the state in calling for your SUPPORT of HB 1828 – Divestment from Sudan.

Following World War II, in horrified response to the decimation of our Jewish communities in the Holocaust, the world stood up and said "Never Again."  That pledge has had strong meaning to our community, to our nation, and to our Commonwealth to not bear silent witness to genocide.  Two years ago you recognized the importance of this message with a resolution to recognize the Virginia Holocaust Museum as a state museum bearing witness to that unspeakable history.   Our Jewish community humbly but urgently calls upon you today to honor that commitment with action today against the genocide in Darfur.  Our President did the same in his State of the Union this week, Congressman Wolf has called upon you to join this effort and a bi-partisan group of Virginia legislators have answered that call

Divestment pressure has worked in Sudan in the past – both our federal U.S. embargo and others - and we believe this targeted divestment effort will work again. These are not just my words, they are the recommendation of foreign policy experts at the Council Foreign Relations and the International Crisis Group.  Though the cost to Virginia and VRS is quite small, the message we send is much more significant.  Our Commonwealth will join with six states that have already divested, and dozens of universities & institutions.  These campaigns are on-going in the U.S., and Canada, Europe and Africa so far.  Twenty-five states will consider divestment during their sessions this year – we are the first.  Let us send a strong message.  Our community has made a solemn oath to our parents and grandparents and to those who perished with no one left to speak for them – Never Again will we bear silent witness, Never Again will we let genocide occur on our watch.  In this time, in this place, and on our watch please lend your strong vote and your conscience to that message.   Please VOTE to divest.gw

Speaker: John Prendergast, Senior Advisor, International Crisis Group

Moderated by: Amb. Karl F. Inderfurth, Director of the MA International Affairs Program

Discussant: professor Paul Williams, Visiting Associate Professor of International Affairs

---------------------------------

------------------------------------- 

Actress and activist Mia Farrow will be the keynote speaker at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum program "Genocide Emergency: Darfur, Sudan," on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.   

Sponsored by the Museum's Washington, D.C. Next Generation Board, the program will benefit the Committee on Conscience (COC). Also speaking at the event will be John Heffernan, Director of the COC's Genocide Prevention Initiative, and area Holocaust survivor Margit Meissner.

"Young people have been at the forefront of the Darfur movement," says Heffernan who has traveled extensively throughout Darfur and neighboring  Chad.  "The work of the Next Generation Board is critical to building a 'community of conscience' – a community committed to fighting genocide worldwide. Fighting genocide today is the best way that we can honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust." The Next Generation Board seeks to build a new generation of leaders to support and advance the Museum's mission, particularly the activities of the COC.

In her role as  UNICEF  Ambassador and activist Mia Farrow has been an outspoken voice on the genocide in Darfur.  She first visited the region in 2004 and returned in June and November 2006.  Her op-eds on the crisis have appeared in major newspapers nationwide, and her photographs of the refugee camps have been widely published.  She has given close to 1,000 interviews on the subject— including one for the "Voices on Genocide Prevention" podcast series —and continues to speak at universities and Darfur-related events across the country.

"The immeasurable suffering of the Darfurian people will forever be with me," said Mia Farrow.  "The situation continues to deteriorate, and ending this human catastrophe will require the engagement of citizens from all walks of life.  Activism begins with education, and I am proud to be working with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in calling attention to genocide unfolding on our watch."

The program is open to the public.  RSVPs are required by January 26 by calling 202-488-2640 or registering online.  Cost is $50 per person.

--------------------

--------------------

Next Tuesday President Bush will set out his top priorities for the year when he delivers his annual State of the Union address to Congress.

We need your help to make sure the President emphasizes the urgency of ending the crisis in Darfur in his speech.

Please click here to ask President Bush to highlight his plan for Darfur when he addresses the nation on Tuesday.

Tuesday's State of the Union address provides an opportunity to ensure that ending the genocide in Darfur is a central part of the President's agenda and a top priority for the new Congress.

But there is another, even more critical reason why we need your help to reach out to President Bush today.

Right now, infamous Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir is making a bid to become the next president of the African Union (AU) -- the very same international organization of African nations whose peacekeepers are trying to stem the violence in Darfur.

President Bashir's own policies have already led to the death and displacement of millions of Darfuris. We must do everything we can to stop President Bashir from become President of the African Union or more innocent Darfuris will pay the price.

Please join us in contacting President Bush right now to urge him to make Darfur a priority in his speech and to do everything in his power to prevent President Bashir from taking control of the African Union.

Click here to send your letter to President Bush now.

Once you've sent your letter to the President, help us spread the word about this urgent effort by forwarding this message to your friends and family.

Thank you again for your support.

Best regards,

David Rubenstein
Save Darfur Coalition

P.S. Will you join us as we turn up the heat? Click here to join our Weekly Action Network and commit to taking one action each week to stop the genocide in Darfur.

 APPLY TO THIS......

The 2006 – 2007 Darfur Op-Ed Writing Contest

If you know any high school or university level students, we encourage you to help us spread the word about our contest. This year's question is:

For nearly two years students have spoken out and played a key role in the movement to end genocide in Darfur, but the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. What more can students do to stop the genocide?

Students should publish their op-ed or essay in a school or local newspaper and enter it in the Committee on Conscience's Darfur Op-Ed Writing Contest.

Op-eds will be judged by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof; Illinois Senator Barack Obama; and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

The winners will come to Washington, D.C., where they will have the opportunity to tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and attend the Days of Remembrance Ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2007.

For more details and to submit your op-ed, please visit the
Contest Website.

For nearly two years students have spoken out and played a key role in the movement to end genocide in Darfur, but the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. What can students do to stop the genocide?

The Committee on Conscience is asking high school and university students to write an op-ed article responding to the question above. Publish your piece in your school or local newspaper and enter it in the contest.

Have your op-ed judged by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof; Illinois Senator, Barack Obama; and former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright .

Win a trip to Washington, D.C., where you will have the opportunity to tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and attend the Days of Remembrance Ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

To learn more, visit www.committeeonconscience.org/darfur-contest.

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Internships with the Committee on Conscience
If you are planning to be in Washington, D.C. this summer, please consider applying for an internship with the Committee on Conscience. The deadline is March 17, 2007.
Learn more and apply >>

Internships with the Genocide Intervention Network
The Genocide Intervention Network has begun accepting applications for its spring internships.
Learn more and apply >>

A blog on contemporary genocide and crimes against humanity by the Student Board on Genocide Prevention of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. What is happening in Darfur today? What can you do on your campus to bring an end to the genocide in Darfur? Check in as we discuss these issues as well as other regions of conflict, providing up to date news and analysis on areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chechnya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. 

 Meet the Student Board

  Voices on Genocide Prevention:  A blog and podcast from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

"In most cases, you see the influence, how people outside of the country could help, and that for me is something that we have to learn; how international communityβ€”you never could replace the need for local leaders, the need for national leadersβ€”but sometimes you can help to change the dynamic and to promote the international justice system." – Luis Moreno-Ocampo

Listen to or read the Full Interview

If you are interested in becoming more involved with STAND join the E-Board! For more information e-mail me:

anne.denes@...

EVENTS :

Your skills will be fined tuned at workshops teaching advocacy techniques, how to begin a divestment campaign at your school or in your state, how to work with the media, and how to fuse technology and activism. Expect to hear Mia Farrow speak about her travels to refugee camps in Chad and Darfur, scholar Eric Reeves discuss the details of the genocide and many other scholars, experts and members of the Sudanese community share their experiences and expertise. Other confirmed speakers include:

The first 15 schools that register a student will recieve a free copy of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" DVD and the chance to win a $300 mini-grant to show the movie at their school.

Also - Announcing the STAND Student Keynote Competition!

SPACE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY - Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference.  Register today at www.timetoprotect.org/conferences. 

 Hope to see you at the Conference!

Erin Heaney

STAND Conference Coordinator

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALL TO ACTION!

On Monday, December 4, 2006, community activists from across the nation will rally at the U.S. Supreme Court when oral arguments are heard in two historic lawsuits, which seek to bar any and all measures that promote racial integration and equal opportunity in American education. The ruling in these cases, Meredith v. Jefferson County Public Schools and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District, will determine whether or not measures to desegregate K-12 public schools remain legal.

  The NAACP is joining with a broad spectrum of organizations and individuals to mobilize for the December 4^th rally and march . We need your support!

            This jam-packed conference will bring students from throughout your region to learn valuable skills, hear from experts and plan for the future.   You will also get opportunities to take direct action and network with other student-activists!

Your skills will be fined tuned at workshops teaching advocacy techniques, how to begin a divestment campaign at your school or in your state, how to work with the media, and how to fuse technology and activism. Expect to hear Mia Farrow speak about her travels to refugee camps in Chad and Darfur, scholar Eric Reeves discuss the details of the genocide and many other scholars, experts and members of the Sudanese community share their experiences and expertise. Other confirmed speakers include:

• Ronan Farrow, Student Representative of the Genocide Intervention Network
  
• Mark Hanis, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network
• Carolyn Davis , The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Adam Sterling, Executive Director of the Sudan Divestment Taskforce
• Adam LeBoer, Author of "Complicity of Evil"
  
• Mohamed Yahya, Refugee from the Darfur region of Sudan and Chairman of the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

The first 15 schools that register a student will recieve a free copy of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" DVD and the chance to win a $300 mini-grant to show the movie at their school.

Also - Announcing the STAND Student Keynote Competition!

SPACE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY - Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference.  Register today at www.timetoprotect.org/conferences. 

 Hope to see you at the Conference!

Erin Heaney

STAND Conference Coordinator

Miscellaneous:

 

STAND NEWSLETTER:

STAND Newsletter		Student Anti-Genocide News November 22, 2006

				Friend, As Americans, we have a lot of privileges and opportunities to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, remind your friends and family that along with these privileges comes the responsibility to protect those who are unable to protect themselves. Genocide is an issue that every American has a responsibility to fight, and the ability to stop. Thank you for your continued support and energy. May this coming holiday season bring renewed hope in the fight against genocide in Darfur. Peace in Darfur, Erin Mazursky Executive Director Georgetown '07 In This Issue... Register for Regional Conferences! Keep Pressuring Congress Call-In Day Success and What's Next Join the Sudan Divestment Movement Apply for a STAND Internship Keep Pressuring Congress Last week, the United Nations reported that they had come to a tentative agreement with the Government of Sudan to send peacekeepers to Darfur. In the last few days, however, Sudan has claimed they never reached this agreement, and will not allow any UN troops to come in. It is not certain what the final verdict will be, but we do need to keep pushing. Darfur needs a UN force now! Call-In Day Success and What's Next Last week, you generated thousands of calls to Congress demanding civilian protection in Darfur. Thank you for contributing to the success of this national call-in day! Now, more than ever, the people in Darfur need your support. Congress must support African Union forces protecting civilians in Darfur. Visit the newly updated DarfurScores to see how your member of Congress did fighting genocide, and call them to urge them to do better. Now is a pivotal time in Darfur, and we must increase our pressure towards Congress. More on STAND's Advocacy Efforts Join the Sudan Divestment Movement Looking for something to do over Christmas break? The Sudan Divestment Task Force is launching divestment campaigns in over 15 states across the country. Join one today, or start your own! Genocide is an expensive venture, and although no US companies are doing business in Sudan, many multinational companies provide the revenue and cover needed to help SudanοΏ½s genocidal government. Our tax dollars are invested in some of these companies. Join the divestment movement and make sure that your University and state are not doing business with companies helping Sudan to carry out their genocide! Email info@... to get involved. More about the Divestment Movement... Apply for a STAND Internship Good experience. Good cause. Apply to be a STAND intern next semester at STANDοΏ½s national offices in Washington, DC. You will have the opportunity to reach thousands of students daily and help them become more effective advocates against genocide. Click here for to download the job description...			Register for Regional Conferences! The Great Lakes Conference was a great success last weekend! Now it's your chance to participate. The Mid-Atlantic Conference is just around the corner, happening December 1-3 at Swarthmore College just outside of Philadelphia, PA. We are still accepting applications. Register Now. Space is limited! STAND will be sponsoring 4 more regional conferences throughout the country in the next two months. The dates of the other four STAND Regional Conferences are: Northeast : Brown University, Jan. 26-28, Providence, RI Midwest: Univ. of Colorado, Jan. 26-28, Boulder, CO Southeast: Emory University, Feb. 2-4, Atlanta, GA Western: Univ. of California, Feb. 2-4, Berkeley, CA. More on STAND Regional Conferences... Quick Links... STAND website Time to Protect Campaign STAND Regional Conferences More About Us Genocide Intervention Network Sudan Divestment Task Force Join our mailing list!
	email: info@... phone: 202.481.8220 web: http://www.standnow.org

 

Join this Facebook Group:

Group Info

Name:	Second Life Virtual Darfur Exhibition
Type:	Organizations - Non-Profit Organizations
Description:	OUR WALLS BEAR WITNESS - DARFUR: WHO WILL SURVIVE TODAY?" is a mixed media event, taking place during Thanksgiving week, 2006 at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, as well as concurrently in the virtual 3-D reality on-line community, Second Life. During the landmark exhibition, wall-sized images depicting the escalating genocide in Darfur will be projected onto the facade of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. This represents the first time the national memorial's exterior has been used to highlight contemporary genocide. The event will continue from November 20 - 26, 2006. At the same time, in Second Life, visitors from across the world will be able to view the exhibition, with its powerful, thought-provoking images, in 3-D virtual reality, as well as to view video of the actual installation, in Washington, DC. During the week, visitors to the Second Life exhibition will also be able to interact with photographers, museum officials, and representatives of STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, which has over 600 high school and college chapters. Student volunteers are needed daily to spend an hour or two each at the exhibit in Second Life to speak with visitors or passers-by. Please sign up below. Informational material to give to vistors will be available at the Second Life exhibition. INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISITING THE DARFUR EXHIBIT IN SECOND LIFE: To visit the Darfur exhibit in Second Life, you will need to have a Second life avatar. If you do not have one, the registration is easy and free. The next step is to download the software to your system. You might also want to ensure your computer meets Second Life's minimum system requirements . Once you've completed these steps, login with your avatar name and password, and visit the exhibition. You can enter Second Life and search for "The Infinite Mind" or "Darfur Photos" or click here to go directly to the exhibition. If you need technical details about how to connect to Second Life, including issues related to a firewall, there are technical instructions available. Please sign up below with your name, time availability, and email address (optional). Any questions may be sent to Kathleen@...

Contact Info

Email:	Kathleen@...
Website:	http://darfurphotos.wikisp aces.com/

 

Read:

The Face of Genocide

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

GOZ BEIDA, Chad

A woman named Marguerite H. wrote to me recently to complain about my columns on Darfur. "While the situation there is dreadful, we have plenty of needs to be filled at home," she wrote. "You would be better off putting your energy into making a difference here at home."

So, Marguerite, meet Halima Abdelkarim. Her life is partly in your hands. Watch her story, and see if you still think we should put off helping her until we have solved our own problems.

Halima, 20, belongs to the Dajo tribe, one of the black African tribes being slaughtered by Sudanese-sponsored Arab militias called the janjaweed. The attacks began three years ago, but the world largely shared your view, Marguerite, that Darfur was a tragedy but not of strategic significance. And so we have fussed a bit but allowed the genocide to spread.

This March, Darfur's slaughter crossed the border and reached Halima's hometown in Chad. The janjaweed killed many men and seized 10 women and girls, including Halima and her little sister, Sadia.

Halima says that the janjaweed, many of them wearing Sudanese military uniforms, mocked the women with racial epithets against blacks, beat them with sticks, and gang-raped them all. Halima, who was then four months pregnant, says she was raped by three men and saw two rape Sadia β€” who was just 10 years old.

After two days of torment, the janjaweed released them. "But Sadia refused to give up her donkey, and so they shot her," Halima recalled. "I was with her. She died right away."

The survivors trekked to a shantytown outside Goz Beida. At first they were safe, and Halima gave birth to a baby daughter. But a couple of months ago the janjaweed began to attack them when they left the camp to get firewood.

Still, the world shared your attitude, Marguerite: It's sad but a long way off, and anyway we have our own problems.

So last month, the janjaweed caught Halima again β€” in effect, we allowed the janjaweed to capture her again.

Halima was gathering firewood with a large group of women, who were hoping for safety in numbers. But raiders with guns suddenly appeared and caught seven of them.

The men asked what tribe they belonged to, and upon learning that they were Dajo who had already fled their villages, said, "We're looking for you." Halima was carrying her infant girl, Noorelayn, and she says the janjaweed threw the baby to the ground.

"You blacks are not human," she quoted them as yelling. "We can do anything we want to you. You cannot live here."

Finally, she says, three men raped her, beat her and stole her clothes. Another of the seven who were caught, Aziza Yakub, 17, confirmed Halima's story, and added that the janjaweed told her while raping her: "You blacks are like monkeys. You are not human."

The only way for these women to survive is to gather firewood to sell or exchange for food. Only women collect firewood, because, as they themselves say: "The men are killed; the women are 'only' raped."

Halima's husband doesn't know about the latest attack. She didn't tell him about the first one, but he figured out what must have happened during the two days she disappeared. Although he didn't blame her, he left her for a few months partly to work out his anger at the janjaweed, and partly to cultivate crops to feed his family. The area he went to was attacked this month, with the janjaweed killing many men or occasionally gouging out their eyes with bayonets. There has been no word from him.

So, Marguerite, Halima's future is up to us. In the last few days, Sudan has bowed to outside pressure and reluctantly agreed in principle to accept some U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur. That's a reminder that pressure can work, but we haven't applied nearly enough. For the peacekeepers to save lives and the killings to stop, much greater effort will be essential. If you didn't find yourself too preoccupied, Marguerite, maybe you could make a phone call to the White House or write a letter to your member of Congress.

You have other priorities, I know, and so do we all. But our indifference has already allowed Halima to be gang-raped twice and her sister murdered in the first genocide of the 21st century. So, Marguerite, look Halima in the eye, and decide if you're willing to turn away as she is slaughtered, or how many more times you're willing to allow her to be raped.

 

Sudan's obstruction forces Norwegian agency to end Darfur operation

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article18593

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

If you are interested in becoming more involved with STAND join the E-Board! For more information e-mail me:

anne.denes@...

EVENTS :

"DARFUR:  Who Will Survive Today?"

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will project wall-sized images of the escalating genocide in Darfur onto its faηade every night during Thanksgiving week, marking the first time the national memorial's exterior will be used to highlight contemporary genocide.

Opening Event
Monday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m.

Andrew Natsios, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan; 
Nesse Godin, Holocaust Survivor;
Omer Ismail, Darfurian refugee living in the U.S.; and
Clemantine Wamariya, a young survivor of the Rwandan genocide. 

RSVP:  202-488-0407

The program – "Darfur: Who Will Survive Today?" – is a unique and highly symbolic Museum project produced in association with DARFUR/DARFUR to draw attention to the continuing crisis in Darfur.

November 20 - 26

The multimedia production will run from 5:30 p.m. until midnight every night on the Museum's 15th Street exterior side.

100 Raoul Wallenberg Place , 15th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024-2126
Metro: Smithsonian

P.S. We would also like to invite you to join a demonstration outside the Sudanese Embassy this Friday, November 17th, from 12 PM to 1 PM. The event is being coordinated by Darfur Interfaith Network in support of the people of Darfur.

Location: Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, 2210 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Date: Friday, November 17th, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Please bring posters with messages urging the world community to act in order to stop the genocide in Darfur. Examples of positive messages include: "Stop the genocide now", "The world is watching," and "Honk for Darfur".

If you have any questions please email darfurvigils@....

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALL TO ACTION!

On Monday, December 4, 2006, community activists from across the nation will rally at the U.S. Supreme Court when oral arguments are heard in two historic lawsuits, which seek to bar any and all measures that promote racial integration and equal opportunity in American education. The ruling in these cases, Meredith v. Jefferson County Public Schools and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District, will determine whether or not measures to desegregate K-12 public schools remain legal.

  The NAACP is joining with a broad spectrum of organizations and individuals to mobilize for the December 4^th rally and march . We need your support!

            This jam-packed conference will bring students from throughout your region to learn valuable skills, hear from experts and plan for the future.   You will also get opportunities to take direct action and network with other student-activists!

Your skills will be fined tuned at workshops teaching advocacy techniques, how to begin a divestment campaign at your school or in your state, how to work with the media, and how to fuse technology and activism. Expect to hear Mia Farrow speak about her travels to refugee camps in Chad and Darfur, scholar Eric Reeves discuss the details of the genocide and many other scholars, experts and members of the Sudanese community share their experiences and expertise. Other confirmed speakers include:

• Ronan Farrow, Student Representative of the Genocide Intervention Network
  
• Mark Hanis, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network
• Carolyn Davis, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Adam Sterling, Executive Director of the Sudan Divestment Taskforce
• Adam LeBoer, Author of "Complicity of Evil"
  
• Mohamed Yahya, Refugee from the Darfur region of Sudan and Chairman of the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

The first 15 schools that register a student will recieve a free copy of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" DVD and the chance to win a $300 mini-grant to show the movie at their school.

Also - Announcing the STAND Student Keynote Competition!

SPACE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY - Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference.  Register today at www.timetoprotect.org/conferences. 

 Hope to see you at the Conference!

Erin Heaney

STAND Conference Coordinator

Miscellaneous:

Sudan's obstruction forces Norwegian agency to end Darfur operation

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article18593

Next General Body Meeting : Tuesday, November 14 @9pm!!

If you are interested in becoming more involved with STAND join the E-Board! For more information e-mail me:

anne.denes@...

EVENTS :

National Call-In Day!

On Wednesday, November 15th

From 9-5 PM

Urge your elected officials to provide more funding for UN Peacekeeping in Darfur to protect innocent civilians in 2007.

Participate in this national STAND event simply by calling the offices of your elected officials on November 15^th. Check out www.DarfurScores.org to find the phone numbers of your members of Congress.

Please contact Katelyn at kpayne@... for more information on the event AND if you are available to help table from 1-3pm on the H St. Terrace!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***LOOK WHO IS A SPEAKER!!!***

Learn about Darfur in an intimate setting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

11 a.m. Wednesday November 15

Join representatives from the Princeton religious community to hear experts speak about Darfur.  Panelist include John Prendergast (International Crisis Group), John Heffernan (US Holocaust Memorial Museum Committee on Conscience), Manya Friedman (Holocaust Survivor) and Sara Weisman (Co-Founder GW STAND)

RSVP to Sara8685@...

Manya Friedman

Manya Friedman was born in Chmielnik, Poland and is a survivor of the Holocaust.    Manya is currently a volunteer at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and is an active member of the Museum's speakers bureau.

Her first experience with anti-Semitism began in 1938 when her family moved to Sosnowiec, Poland, a city located near the German border. Signs appeared urging Polish citizens to boycott Jewish businesses. The following year, German troops invaded Poland . On September 4, 1939, at 2 p.m., Sosnowiec was occupied. That same day, local Jews, including Manya's father, were rounded up. They were held overnight without food or water and then selected for forced labor. Manya's father was assigned to build army latrines. A month later, her mother was arrested for violating the curfew.   In 1941 Manya was forced to work for a German company that produced military uniforms. The following year, the Nazis began deporting Jews from Sosnowiec to the Auschwitz-Birkenau killing center. Manya and her family were saved temporarily from deportation because of their work permits. In March 1943, however, she was forcibly taken to the Gogolin transit camp, and from there to the Gleiwitz forced labor camp. She never saw her family again; they were deported to Auschwitz. In January 1945, as the Soviet army approached, the prisoners were evacuated on a death march .   Manya and the other prisoners were transported for ten days in open freight cars in the bitter cold to the Ravensbrueck concentration camp. The Swedish Red Cross rescued her in April 1945. In 1950 she emigrated from Sweden to the United States.

John Heffernan

John Heffernan is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Genocide Prevention Initiative Director, which is part of the Committee on Conscience at the Museum. The Museum's Committee on Conscience is mandated to alert the national conscience, influence policymakers and stimulate worldwide action to confront and work to halt acts of genocide and related crimes against humanity.  

Heffernan brings to the Museum nearly twenty years of experience in development, relief, human rights, and post-conflict reconstruction projects in the United States, Africa, South America, and Europe. As the Committee's Genocide Prevention Initiative Director, John Heffernan oversees the Museum's public outreach initiatives and activities including conducting research on and documenting instances of genocide, developing genocide response strategies and spearheading campaigns to build public awareness of and reaction to instances of genocide.

John Prendergast

John Prendergast is a Senior Adviser at the International Crisis Group. The International Crisis Group (Crisis Group) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization, with nearly 120 staff members on five continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.

Prendergast worked in the White House and the State Department in the Clinton administration from 1996-2001 and has worked for a variety of NGOs and think tanks in Africa and the U.S. He has authored or coauthored seven books on Africa and is currently co-authoring a book with actor Don Cheadle.

Sara Weisman

Sara Weisman is a senior at the George Washington University studying International Affairs with concentrations in development and economics.   She is co-founder of the student organization GW STAND, Students Taking Action Now Darfur.  Her experience with GW STAND has afforded her tremendous experience in organizing, fundraising, lobbying, activism and awareness campaigns.   Additionally, Weisman has interned with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Committee on Conscious, the International Crisis Group Africa program, the Save Darfur Coalition and the Center for Strategic and International Studies giving her a solid understanding of the situation in Darfur.   She is currently working on a senior thesis analyzing the conflict and potential peacekeeping options in Darfur. 

-------------------

"Darfur: Who Will Survive Today?"

 The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will project wall-sized images of the escalating genocide in Darfur onto its faηade during Thanksgiving week, marking the first time the national memorial's exterior will be used to highlight contemporary genocide.  The program, "Darfur: Who Will Survive Today?" is a unique and highly symbolic Museum project produced in association with Darfur/Darfur to draw attention to the continuing crisis in Darfur.

The multi-media production will run from 5:30 p.m. until midnight every night from November 20 – November 26. There will be an opening night event, with a keynote address by U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, on November 20 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP required for the event, 202-488-0407.

This exhibition is produced by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum [ www.ushmm.org ] in association with Darfur/Darfur [ www.darfurdarfur.org.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Location: Lindner Family Commons, 6th Floor, 1957 E Street NW
• Sponsors: Culture in Global Affairs (CIGA)
• RSVP is required, contact Hfassil@.... There will be refreshments served.

SHARE. LEARN. GIVE. WALK.

Help the Homeless Walk

Take a stand. Help fight hunger and homelessness!

Saturday, Nov. 18

Register Online at http://gwired.gwu.edu/volunteer

Meet at Kogan Plaza at 7:30 AM and proceed

down to the National Mall!

 Walk alongside your fellow Colonials and help the hunger and homelessness crisis.

            This jam-packed conference will bring students from throughout your region to learn valuable skills, hear from experts and plan for the future.   You will also get opportunities to take direct action and network with other student-activists!

Your skills will be fined tuned at workshops teaching advocacy techniques, how to begin a divestment campaign at your school or in your state, how to work with the media, and how to fuse technology and activism. Expect to hear Mia Farrow speak about her travels to refugee camps in Chad and Darfur, scholar Eric Reeves discuss the details of the genocide and many other scholars, experts and members of the Sudanese community share their experiences and expertise. Other confirmed speakers include:

• Ronan Farrow, Student Representative of the Genocide Intervention Network
  
• Mark Hanis, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network
• Carolyn Davis, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Adam Sterling, Executive Director of the Sudan Divestment Taskforce
• Adam LeBoer, Author of "Complicity of Evil"
  
• Mohamed Yahya, Refugee from the Darfur region of Sudan and Chairman of the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

The first 15 schools that register a student will recieve a free copy of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" DVD and the chance to win a $300 mini-grant to show the movie at their school.

Also - Announcing the STAND Student Keynote Competition!

SPACE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY - Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference.  Register today at www.timetoprotect.org/conferences. 

 Hope to see you at the Conference!

Erin Heaney

STAND Conference Coordinator

Miscellaneous:

Sudan's obstruction forces Norwegian agency to end Darfur operation

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article18593

Next General Body Meeting: Tuesday, November 14 @9pm!!

If you are interested in becoming more involved with STAND join the E-Board! For more information e-mail me:

anne.denes@...

EVENTS:

IS THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT FORGOTTEN?

KEEPING STUDENT ACTIVISM ALIVE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 13^TH 7:00 PM – MT. VERNON CAMPUS

ECKES LIBRARY - 2100 FOXHALL ROAD NW

WASHINGTON, DC, November 4, 2006 – Real Conversations continues to bring progressive programming to GW by hosting a discussion, "Is the Civil Rights Movement Forgotten?   Keeping Student Activism Alive.  GW NAACP and GW College Democrats are the lead sponsors while co-sponsors include the Multi-Cultural Student Services, the Student Activities Center, Mount Vernon Campus Life, and GW Housing Authority, and student organization, DreamCity, Progressive Student Union, GW Mentors, and GW Stand.   Special guests include representatives from Youth Ventures and DC LEARNS including outspoken Civil Rights Advocate, the honorable Garland Vincent.

R.E.A.L. ( Relationships, Ethnicity, Activism, Life) Conversations is a product of a university wide initiative, beginning in 2003, to explore the many facets of our growing society and to focus on multicultural issues.  

The Vern Express leaves, from Fulbright Hall (22^nd St. & H St.) and the Red Cross (20^th & E. St.), to the Mount Vernon Campus every 15 minutes.   Travel time is between 8 and 15 minutes depending on traffic.  The George Washington Eckles library is the final stop.  Please ask driver for more information.

National Call-In Day!

On Wednesday, November 15th

From 9-5 PM

Urge your elected officials to provide more funding for UN Peacekeeping in Darfur to protect innocent civilians in 2007.

Participate in this national STAND event simply by calling the offices of your elected officials on November 15^th. Check out www.DarfurScores.org to find the phone numbers of your members of Congress.

Please contact Katelyn at kpayne@... for more information on the event AND if you are available to help table from 1-3pm on the H St. Terrace!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Darfur: Who Will Survive Today?"

 The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will project wall-sized images of the escalating genocide in Darfur onto its faηade during Thanksgiving week, marking the first time the national memorial's exterior will be used to highlight contemporary genocide.  The program, "Darfur: Who Will Survive Today?" is a unique and highly symbolic Museum project produced in association with Darfur/Darfur to draw attention to the continuing crisis in Darfur.

The multi-media production will run from 5:30 p.m. until midnight every night from November 20 – November 26. There will be an opening night event, with a keynote address by U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, on November 20 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP required for the event, 202-488-0407.

This exhibition is produced by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum [ www.ushmm.org ] in association with Darfur/Darfur [ www.darfurdarfur.org.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Location: Lindner Family Commons, 6th Floor, 1957 E Street NW
• Sponsors: Culture in Global Affairs (CIGA)
• RSVP is required, contact Hfassil@.... There will be refreshments served.

            This jam-packed conference will bring students from throughout your region to learn valuable skills, hear from experts and plan for the future.   You will also get opportunities to take direct action and network with other student-activists!

Your skills will be fined tuned at workshops teaching advocacy techniques, how to begin a divestment campaign at your school or in your state, how to work with the media, and how to fuse technology and activism. Expect to hear Mia Farrow speak about her travels to refugee camps in Chad and Darfur, scholar Eric Reeves discuss the details of the genocide and many other scholars, experts and members of the Sudanese community share their experiences and expertise. Other confirmed speakers include:

• Ronan Farrow, Student Representative of the Genocide Intervention Network
  
• Mark Hanis, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network
• Carolyn Davis, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Adam Sterling, Executive Director of the Sudan Divestment Taskforce
• Adam LeBoer, Author of "Complicity of Evil"
  
• Mohamed Yahya, Refugee from the Darfur region of Sudan and Chairman of the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

The first 15 schools that register a student will recieve a free copy of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" DVD and the chance to win a $300 mini-grant to show the movie at their school.

Also - Announcing the STAND Student Keynote Competition!

SPACE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY - Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference.  Register today at www.timetoprotect.org/conferences. 

 Hope to see you at the Conference!

Erin Heaney

STAND Conference Coordinator

Miscellaneous:

DC DIVESTMENT:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/DCdivestment/index.html


We Are All Connected: Berklee College of Music Reaches Out to the Women of Darfur

http://cdbaby.com/cd/berkleecom

KEEPING STUDENT ACTIVISM ALIVE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 13^TH 7:00 PM – MT. VERNON CAMPUS

ECKES LIBRARY - 2100 FOXHALL ROAD NW

WASHINGTON, DC, November 4, 2006 – Real Conversations continues to bring progressive programming to GW by hosting a discussion, "Is the Civil Rights Movement Forgotten?   Keeping Student Activism Alive.  GW NAACP and GW College Democrats are the lead sponsors while co-sponsors include the Multi-Cultural Student Services, the Student Activities Center, Mount Vernon Campus Life, and GW Housing Authority, and student organization, DreamCity, Progressive Student Union, GW Mentors, and GW Stand.   Special guests include representatives from Youth Ventures and DC LEARNS including outspoken Civil Rights Advocate, the honorable Garland Vincent.

R.E.A.L. ( Relationships, Ethnicity, Activism, Life) Conversations is a product of a university wide initiative, beginning in 2003, to explore the many facets of our growing society and to focus on multicultural issues.  

The Vern Express leaves, from Fulbright Hall (22^nd St. & H St.) and the Red Cross (20^th & E. St.), to the Mount Vernon Campus every 15 minutes.   Travel time is between 8 and 15 minutes depending on traffic.  The George Washington Eckles library is the final stop.  Please ask driver for more information.

            This jam-packed conference will bring students from throughout your region to learn valuable skills, hear from experts and plan for the future.   You will also get opportunities to take direct action and network with other student-activists!

Your skills will be fined tuned at workshops teaching advocacy techniques, how to begin a divestment campaign at your school or in your state, how to work with the media, and how to fuse technology and activism. Expect to hear Mia Farrow speak about her travels to refugee camps in Chad and Darfur, scholar Eric Reeves discuss the details of the genocide and many other scholars, experts and members of the Sudanese community share their experiences and expertise. Other confirmed speakers include:

• Ronan Farrow, Student Representative of the Genocide Intervention Network
  
• Mark Hanis, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network
• Carolyn Davis, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Adam Sterling, Executive Director of the Sudan Divestment Taskforce
• Adam LeBoer, Author of "Complicity of Evil"
  
• Mohamed Yahya, Refugee from the Darfur region of Sudan and Chairman of the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

The first 15 schools that register a student will recieve a free copy of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" DVD and the chance to win a $300 mini-grant to show the movie at their school.

Also - Announcing the STAND Student Keynote Competition!

SPACE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY - Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference.  Register today at www.timetoprotect.org/conferences. 

 Hope to see you at the Conference!

Erin Heaney

STAND Conference Coordinator

Oct. 21st- Come to the Rock for Darfur Concert with Amos Lee at the 9:30 Club!!  A portion of ticket sales go to Darfur!  Check out myspace.com/rockfordarfur for more info on this cool nationwide event! 

Interested in spreading the word about STAND while rocking out at the concert?  E-mail standmicaela@... ASAP to let her you know you are interested in spending about an hour of the concert hanging out with cool STAND people and filling in cool concert-goers about how they can stop genocide!

• Location: Lindner Family Commons, 6th Floor, 1957 E Street NW
• Sponsors: Culture in Global Affairs (CIGA)
• RSVP is required, contact Hfassil@.... There will be refreshments served.

11 October 2006 – The arms embargo in Darfur is being blatantly violated by all parties operating in the war-torn Sudanese region, including Government forces, allied Janjaweed militias, rebel groups and insurgents from neighbouring Chad, according to the latest report from a panel of experts set up by the United Nations Security Council.

The panel's report, released today, found that Chadian rebels are helping to stoke the conflict in Darfur – especially in the region's north and west – by reportedly joining Government forces and the Janjaweed in their operations against rebel groups.

The experts said there are reliable reports that Sudan is re-supplying the Chadian rebels with weapons and vehicles, with weapons and ammunition observed being offloaded at local airports and moved to locations within Darfur, where three years of fighting have killed an estimated 200,000 people and forced another 2 million to leave their homes.

"Credible information" also exists indicating the Government continues to support the Janjaweed, providing weapons and vehicles in breach of its commitments, according to the report.

"The Janjaweed/armed militias appear to have upgraded their modus operandi from horses, camels and AK-47s to land cruisers, pick-up trucks and rocket-propelled grenades," it stated.

The panel of experts, appointed by the Council last year to monitor the arms embargo and targeted financial and travel-related sanctions, also found that rebel forces have "shown a notable increase in capacity to engage the forces of the Government" since March.

Turning to the financial and travel-related sanctions, the experts said it considered Sudan to have "wilfully avoided" its commitment under the resolution to implement financial sanctions against persons designated by the Council.

They also voiced concern that fighting has increased in recent months because of a major split within rebel movements based on which groups and factions signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in May and which did not.

"Tragically, it is the long-suffering innocent civilians of Darfur who continue to bear the brunt of recent events."

Greece's Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis, Chairman of the Council committee dealing with sanctions concerning Sudan, said in a letter to the Council President that the committee will consider the panel's many recommendations and then present their views to the full Council.

Meanwhile, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland told a news briefing in Geneva that the violence and insecurity plaguing Darfur has escalated in recent months, with the militias stronger than ever.

"They are much better armed, they are more brutal than ever and their potential to do bad is better than ever," he said.

Mr. Egeland, who is also the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the escalating fighting has led to surging numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Darfur, a remote and impoverished region the size of France on Sudan's western flank.

Their suffering has been exacerbated because relief workers are unable to reach many of the IDPs due to the insecurity.

Asked by journalists about the recent Human Rights Council session, Mr. Egeland said he thought it was a shame that it did not issue a strong statement on Darfur.

"I think that is a very bad signal. There are few cases that are so clear-cut as Darfur in terms of women and children being abused, attacked [and] raped by armed men. And if there is one thing that the Human Rights Council should do, it is to come to the defence of the defenceless."

**The Darfur Legislative Update provides information on the efforts of various groups to serve the broad legislative advocacy community working on Darfur related issues.  All information included does not necessarily reflect the views of the Friends Committee on National Legislation ( FCNL).**

Hey everyone! There is a Bake Sale for Banaa and they still have some
empty spots for tabling. If you can table from 4-5pm tomorrow in
Kogan, contact Jackie:jmenditch@...


Thanks!