Spielberg Says No to China and The Olympics

Congratulations to Steven Spielberg for pulling out as artistic director of the Olympics in protest of China's involvement in the Sudanese government. It seems Mr. Spielberg has had some impact as China has begun to "suggest" that the government of Sudan let in the complete hybrid UN/AU peacekeeping force.

Now, if more celebrities and athletes stood up and spoke out imagine what could be accomplished.

Like it or not China does have influence over The Sudan.

The Crisis in Darfur, What's the Answer?

“The real question, therefore, is not why the crisis in Darfur persists, but whether we will collectively do what’s necessary to end it.” (savedarfur.org)

There have been books written about the subject, and movies, the newest being Darfur Now.

The effort persists, yet the violence continues. So, what’s the answer? Let people continue to be murdered, simply because of who they are? Do we say there’s nothing we can do, and not let their problems enter our thoughts?

We are paying for the it’s not my problem mentality with global warming, that is also a factor in the Darfur tragedy. The land that was once farmed has been decimated by drought. There is less land to farm, so the prime land is fought over.

I don’t know the answers, I just know if people are being mistreated, it’s wrong and I would want someone to speak up for me if I couldn’t speak up for myself.

The Olympic Torch Relay Continues

With the 2008 Olympics being held in Beijing China, there are several events across the world aimed at bringing attention to China and their part in assisting the soldiers in Sudan. The fact is without the financial backing of China the government of Sudan would not be able to buy arms they use.

The Olympic Torch Relays are currently spreading across the country. Tomorrow in Portland Oregon, their activities for the Torch Relay will begin.

“Wed. 11/7 - All day Camp Darfur for middle and high school students to visit hosted by Lincoln High School STAND in SW. Survivors from Cambodia, Rwanda, the Holocaust, Armenian descendants and Darfur will be available to speak to students and walk through Camp Darfur. We would like a large cross section of schools from Multnomah, Clackamas, Clarke and Washington Counties.” (savedarfur.org)

See the following link Camp Darfur for more information.

This is an excellent chance to get informed, and show your support for Darfur.

Refugee Camps in Darfur, No Treat

My boys went trick or treating last night, and received way too much candy as usual. We went to the same neighborhood we’ve always went to, the area in which their great grandmother lives. The neighborhood is safe, and their father grew up there everyone knows everyone. There is stability in the lives of my children, and I’m grateful for that.

The children and people of Darfur don’t have that luxury. They were first driven from their homes, and now are being driven from the refugee camps, they have tried to make home. Since 2005, the government has tried to close camps near cities in favor of camps in more remote locations.

"Our biggest fear is that this is going to continue," she said. "Even if it doesn't continue in the next week there is obviously a pattern here. It happens once, there's outcry, they stop trying to move people for a few months, then they try a new method of pressure" (http://voanews.com/english/2007-11-01-voa43.cfm)

Moving Darfur refugees to remote camps is at the least an attempt to break their spirits, and at worse to make it difficult for food and aid to reach the people. It’s sad that there has to be a fight for people to stay in refugee camps.

Darfur, Who Cares?

I post my blog to share information on the ongoing struggle of the people of Darfur. Some days I wonder why I bother, I wonder if anyone is reading, or if anyone cares. I’ve heard, “There are plenty of problems in the US we need to worry about.” “The United States can’t save everyone.”

If I could I’d work to save all the people who suffer in the world, but it’s not possible. What separates the Darfur situation from the countless other tragedies in the world is the magnitude of the brutality.

There are millions of people living in unsafe refugee camps. There have been hundreds of thousands of people killed, and they cannot turn to their government for help.

Who’s responsible for the safety of millions of people?

Not Even Talk of Peace

As feared, the major groups in Darfur have announced they will boycott the peace talks that are scheduled to begin tomorrow. The situation in Darfur has deteriorated to the point where groups cannot agree to talk about peace.

So, with peace talks likely ineffective due to the lack of attendance, what’s the next step? The UN has promised a force due to arrive in Africa next year sometime.

Maybe if we wait long enough, there won’t be anyone left to save in Darfur.

Genocide Survivors At The Olympic Torch Relay

Sunday October 21, 2007 I attended the Olympic Torch Relay in Hartford, CT. Words will do injustice to the emotions I felt listening to the survivors of genocides speak of the horror they survived. There were survivors from past genocides in Rwanda, The Holocaust, Bosnia, Armenia, Sudan, and, Cambodia.

When you listen to their stories you wonder how anyone can stand by and watch as it happens again despite the hollow words of, “never again.”

The people of Darfur are not asking for a handout. The people of Darfur are asking not to be raped, and murdered.

Why won’t anyone protect them???



Visit savedarfur.org for locations of Olympic Torch Relays, and participate if you are fortunate enough to have one in your hometown.

Genocide Survivors at Olympic Torch Relay

Sunday October 21, 2007 I attended the Olympic Torch Relay in Hartford, CT. Words will do injustice to the emotions I felt listening to the survivors of genocides speak of the horror they survived. There were survivors from past genocides in Rwanda, The Holocaust, Bosnia, Armenia, Sudan, and, Cambodia.

When you listen to their stories you wonder how anyone can stand by and watch as it happens again despite the hollow words of, “never again.”

The people of Darfur are not asking for a handout. The people of Darfur are asking not to be raped, and murdered.

Why won’t anyone protect them???



Visit savedarfur.org for locations of Olympic Torch Relays, and participate if you are fortunate enough to have one in your hometown.

Events for Darfur Come to Connecticut

Author Jane Wells has traveled to Rawanda and Darfur and written several articles for publications including Vogue magazine. Ms. Wells will be speaking in Westport, CT at the Unitarian Church, on Thursday October 18 from 11:30 am-2pm. Gretchen Steidle Wallace will also appear and the two will speak, on "Women Surviving Genocide; Social Entrepreneurship as a path to Recovery."



For more information on the film or other "Days for Darfur", awareness events taking place in Fairfield County, visit www.stamford.ucomm.ued/darfursupport or call 203-329-1919.

In addition, The Devil Came on Horseback will be showing on Monday, Oct. 22, at the Garden Cinema in Norwalk, CT.



Lastly, the Olympic Torch Relay will take place in Hartford, CT on October 21, 2007. The Relay will start at 2pm and will feature Gabriel Bol Deng, Founder and Director of H.O.P.E for Sudan and one of the “Lost Boys” of the Sudan. David Morse, Author and International Activist Survivors of the Holocaust and of the Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, and Rwandan genocides, Ian Campbell, Musician, as well as other genocide survivors.

The Torch Relay will be held at Minuteman Park in Hartford, CT 311 Capitol Ave.

(Visit savedarfur.org, select Olympic Torch Relay for more information on the event.)

Will the UN Peacekeepers be allowed in Darfur?

Resolution 1769 authorizes a UN- African hybrid peacekeeping force. The resolution was passed in July. While this is great news for the people of Darfur, a similar resolution was passed last year and Sudan refused to let the peacekeepers enter the country. This was the first time a UN authorized force was turned away.

There is an established time frame for the deployment of the troops and December 31 is the deadline. This deployment must happen if there is any hope for the people of Darfur to return home. Everyday that passes without help from the UN the possibility of life returning back to normal for the people of Darfur slips further away.


Visit savedarfur.org for more information on resolution 1769.

China, The Olympics, & Darfur

The Olympics being held in Beijing has caused many to protest China’s involvement in the genocide in Darfur. Some feel this is the perfect opportunity to pressure China into ceasing its support of the Sudanese government and army. Some question if the Olympics is the right form to stage political protest.

The Olympics is about sportsmanship, and world competition. Joey Cheek a US Olympic Medal Winner delivered a petition with 40,000 signatures to the Chinese Embassy. On the eve of hosting the biggest international festival in the world, China must be conscious of its image. The world is coming to China and so are the critical eyes who wonder why China has not done more for the victims in Darfur.

“The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” (The Olympic Charter)


Joey Cheek’s organization is wherewillwebe.org

What does Darfur Mean to You?

What is Darfur?