300 High schools, colleges participate in ‘DarfurFast’ to raise funds for peacekeepers
Genocide Intervention Network
Andrew Natsios, Don Cheadle, Nicholas Kristof and Others Join Effort
‘Your Activism Challenges the Conscience of the World,’ Says Nancy Pelosi
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2006 — Students at more than 300 high schools and colleges on four continents participated today in a fundraising drive for civilian protection in Darfur, Sudan. “DarfurFast” included participation from actors Don Cheadle and Allison Janney, authors Nicholas Kristof and Dave Eggers, Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek, and US Special Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios.
Participants in the event “fasted” from one luxury item and donated the money saved to civilian protection initiatives in Darfur through the Genocide Intervention Network. Since 2003, a state-sponsored genocide has killed more than 400,000 civilians in Darfur, with a small African Union peacekeeping force — receiving paltry support from the international community — often unable to stop the systematic violence.
In an interview yesterday with Reuters, Andrew Natsios endorsed DarfurFast and pledged a financial contribution. He lauded young people for inspiring action on Darfur.
“Students have led and been at the forefront of educating the public of this issue,” said Natsios, who was appointed by President Bush as the top diplomat on Darfur earlier this year.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Natsios in supporting the event. “Your activism challenges the conscience of the world,” she said. “I am positive that the United States and the world would not know as much as it does without the efforts of students in this country. When you speak, the world listens.”
Genocide Intervention Network Executive Director Mark Hanis says student activism is crucial to ending the genocide in Darfur.
“Students are contributing their own pocket change to save lives in Darfur,” Hanis says. “We hope that the support from Mr. Natsios shows that the United States is finally willing to step up and follow the lead of its own citizens in taking concrete steps to end the genocide.”
The Senate recently approved $20 million in funding for the African Union, which will continue attempting to protect civilians until a United Nations force is allowed to deploy. The United States had previously refused to fund AU peacekeepers because they expected UN troops to arrive by October, but the government of Sudan blocked this plan.
“The budget for the African Union in Darfur is nearly $40 million per month,” Hanis says. “The Senate’s support is vital, but President Bush and the State Department must commit to more than two weeks of funding if they truly wish to end the genocide.”
Donations can be made today and in the future at the DarfurFast website, www.DarfurFast.com. An anonymous donor plans to match all pledges up to $100,000.
DarfurFast was coordinated by STAND, a nationwide student coalition and a division of the Genocide Intervention Network. The event was supported by the Save Darfur Coalition, American Jewish World Service, American Islamic Congress, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and MTVu, among others. A national coalition of Darfurian American organizations plans to hold a traditional fast-breaking meal this evening.
Contact:
Genocide Intervention Network.
Ivan Boothe,
Director of Communications
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: 202.481.8109