Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus including John Lewis, Donna Edwards and Keith Ellison, were all arrested today to protest genocide in Darfur Sudan. I think that’s cool. They’ve since been released along with my Member of Congress here in CA Lynn Woolsey & Jim McGovern. John Lewis was last arrested in 2006 and has worked tirelessly against genocide in Sudan. I want to thank them all for highlighting this global shame that has gone on for too long.

Here’s a quote from Lewis the Lion in action: 

“You have to find a way to dramatize an issue,” Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) told CNN as he was led away in handcuffs.

Here’s a snip from his press statement:

After speaking on the steps of the embassy to a group of local activists and Darfuris, members of Congress and activist leaders were asked by police to leave the scene. When the protest continued, officers arrested Representatives McGovern, Lewis, Edwards, Ellison and Woolsey along with Save Darfur Coalition president Jerry Fowler, Enough Project co-founder John Prendergast and Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. 

“We know President Obama and members of his administration care passionately about ending the Darfur crisis and promoting peace in Sudan,” said Fowler. “As President Obama nears his 100th day in office this week, he can demonstrate that Sudan is a strategic priority for the United States by committing to build a multilateral coalition for peace and investing in the diplomacy necessary to achieve an equitable and lasting solution for Darfuris and all Sudanese.”

Throughout the month of April, survivors from Darfur and five previous genocides have joined anti-genocide advocates and people of conscience around the world to observe Genocide Prevention Month. The tragedies of Darfur, Bosnia, Rwanda, Cambodia, the Holocaust and Armenia all have major anniversaries throughout the month. The Sudanese government’s recent decision to expel 13 international aid agencies – which will soon leave approximately 1.1 million civilians without food aid, 1.5 million without health care and more than one million without potable water – underscores the need for urgent U.S. action to address Darfur’s deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

The rogue regime of Sudanese President Omar Bashir must be held accountable for its actions which include not only genocide and war-mongering with its neighbor Chad but also support in the past to Al-Qaeda. Head over to SaveDarfur.org to help.

Over at Change.org’s Humanitarian Relief blog, they’re recommending a different approach:

We recently took a break from our normal back-and-forth – Darfur, genocide, Zimbabwe, genocide, a shared love of Live Your Life by TI (featuring Rihanna) – to ponder an equally important question.  Why, why is it so difficult to find the perfect greeting card to send to your favorite dictator or despot? […]

What to send to your favorite dictator on that special occasion

“Congratulations on dying in office.”

“Congratulations on staying in power after completely destroying your own country.”

“Way to rig that election!”

“I’m inspired by your callous disregard for human life.”

“Here’s to hoping you make it through the rainy season without contracting cholera.”

“Merry Christmas: May the ghosts of massacres past leave you in peace this year.”

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