Million Voices for Darfur

Million Voices for Darfur

"On January 12th , - the 55th anniversary International Genocide Prevention Day - over one hundred advocacy, humanitarian aid, and faith-based organizations launched a coordinated effort to raise awareness of the genocide taking place in Darfur and promote the action necessary to ending it. Specifically, the campaign calls on the United States government to support a larger, stronger, multinational force to protect the civilians of Darfur.

"The Save Darfur Coalition and its partners will collect 1,000,000 signed postcards urging President Bush to take action. While the sources of these cards will be as disparate as the people signing them, the central message they carry will be the same. The cards will be collected at small-town community events and large-scale student rallies, from houses of worship and over the internet. The Coalition will deliver America's messages to the White House and Capitol Hill, using the campaign to garner national and local media attention for the crisis in Darfur and our shared commitment to taking the action necessary to ending the crisis.

"The Million Voices campaign will promote events nation-wide to raise awareness and create new advocates for Darfur. In support of the campaign, the Save Darfur Coalition will organize a speaking tour for Captain Brian Steidle, USMC, who served as the U.S. representative to the African Union's mission in Darfur. Captain Steidle, an eye-witness to the genocide, is a powerful and compelling speaker, and will help Americans grasp the reality - and the enormity - of the cruelty of Darfur. The Coalition will also promote other events featuring expert and eye-witness speakers in our speakers' bureau. Organizers of local events will be encouraged to collect donations to support the Coalition's advocacy work.

"Save Darfur Coalition members and other large organizations have a crucial role to play in the success of the campaign, in promoting events and urging the gathering of postcards.

"To support the campaign, the Save Darfur Coalition will organize the printing, distribution, collection and forwarding of the cards to our elected officials. The cards will be scanned and copied, with the originals being quickly forwarded to the White House, and copies delivered on April 30 to the President and Congress."

• Gloria White-Hammond - chairperson

Contact

Web: http://www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org (no longer works)