Stop Genocide Now activists head to refugee camps to help host Darfur Olympics
REDONDO BEACH, CA, July 27, 2008—Stop Genocide Now representatives, Gabriel Stauring and Katie-Jay Scott will return to Eastern Chad, Africa as a part of the Dream for Darfur Olympics program. Stauring and Scott will not only visit refugee camps in an effort to bring attention to the genocide in Darfur, but also to urge China, the host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, to use its political power to instill a full protection force in Darfur, by persuading the Sudanese government to abide by UN Resolution 1769.
Furthermore, Stauring and Scott’s return to Africa will again ignite Stop Genocide Now’s sixth installment of their interactive-activism program i-ACT6. On August 1, 2008, i-ACT6 will connect individuals from communities around the world with the faces, names, and lives of Darfur refugees who escaped the genocide in their homeland, through the Stop Genocide Now website. This particular i-ACT will introduce the Olympics through the lenses of refugees who can not enjoy China’s “One World One Dream” motto.
“By bringing the lives and dreams of the Darfuris into the homes of the world, we hope to raise awareness and facilitate action for the innocent civilians of Darfur,” Katie-Jay Scott said. “The civilians are the most affected by China’s support of the Government of Sudan through weapons transfers and oil investment.”
This pre-Beijing Olympics coverage leading up to the Switch Over to Darfur campaign will highlight Darfur athletes and their families who are unable to return to their homeland. Stauring and Scott will provide daily video and journal posts from refugee camps in Chad, via the Stop Genocide Now website. This coverage will enable i-ACT participants to connect with those in the refugee camps and other Stop Genocide Now activists, who are able to bring attention to the circumstances in Darfur and Chad.
“As the world focuses on the Olympics, the millions of displaced Darfuri continue to wait for basic protection, peace, and justice. The children in the camps play with rocks, rag balls, and sticks. Far from the dream of Olympic glory, for them glory would be enough food for the day and knowing that they might have a chance for a future,” said Stop Genocide Now founder, Gabriel Stauring.
In addition, i-ACT participants will be encouraged to take part in daily actions, such as writing letters to local newspapers and congressmen, hosting i-ACT viewing parties, signing the Darfur Media Accountability Project and working with other advocacy organizations in an effort to continue to bring attention to the genocide in Darfur.
“By participating in i-ACT, those who are passionate about advocating for and ending the genocide in Darfur are able to hold hands together from opposite sides of the world in solidarity,” said i-ACT participant Gayle Rogers, a resident of Melbourne, Australia. “After participating in the Stop Genocide Now fast, it’s only natural for me to continue participating in i-ACT6, a true link for those a part of the anti-genocide community.”
Note: The Stop Genocide Now team will be available for interviews from the field as well as be able to provide photo and video content.
About Stop Genocide Now:
Stop Genocide Now (SGN) is a grassroots community dedicated to working to protect populations in grave danger of violence, death and displacement resulting from genocide. Through active education, advocacy and policy change SGN resolves to change the way the world responds to genocide. SGN is currently focused on creating awareness and action to stop the genocide in Darfur and deal appropriately with its aftermath. All of our projects focus on and utilize the strength and power in grassroots connectivity.
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Contact: Amanda Carl
Stop Genocide Now
amanda@stopgenocidenow.org