Top policy advisors on Sudan are supposed to meet today to discuss policy. Please take a minute to send President Obama a message asking him to get personally involved and fulfill his campaign promises. The link below will take you to a page where you can quickly send a message and also find a link to a Washington Post opinion piece that discusses disturbing comments made yesterday by Sudan Special Envoy Gration.
www.genocideintervention.net
here is the White House's response:
White House pushes back
Showing posts with label President Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President Obama. Show all posts
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Emergency Alert--Take Action Today!
Sound the alarm on Darfur - Call the White House
TAKE ACTION: Call the White House today by dialing 202-456-1111 or 1-800-GENOCIDE. Urge President Obama to condemn the violence happening now in Darfur.
Reports are coming out of Darfur that the Sudanese government and its militia allies are attacking civilians even as you read this.
According to a first-hand account from Darfur, "People in Elfasher (my hometown where my mother, sisters, brothers and their children are still there) saw military jets and heard loud explosions outside the city. Situation is tense in the city. People stayed at home (no schools or ordinary business). Usually air strikes are signs that the ground troops and Janjaweed are not far."
President Obama, Secretary Clinton and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice must respond. This is the first time that there have been reports of aerial attacks under the new administration's watch. They must send a clear message to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his regime that violence against civilians, peacekeepers and aid workers in Darfur will not be tolerated.
SAMPLE SCRIPT
Hello, my name is (YOUR NAME) and I'm from (YOUR CITY, YOUR STATE). I'm calling to ask President Obama to urgently address the escalating violence in Darfur. According to on-the-ground reports, Omar al-Bashir has launched air and ground attacks throughout Darfur and civilians have been caught in the middle.
President Obama, please demand that Bashir, his regime and the involved rebel groups must immediately cease attacks on civilians in Darfur. Additionally, you should designate a high-level official with the necessary stature, authority and mandate to lead your administration's efforts to reach a comprehensive solution in Sudan. Thank you.
You can also call the State Department's Public Comment Line at 202-647-6575 and leave a similar message for Secretary of State Clinton.
TAKE ACTION: Call the White House today by dialing 202-456-1111 or 1-800-GENOCIDE. Urge President Obama to condemn the violence happening now in Darfur.
Reports are coming out of Darfur that the Sudanese government and its militia allies are attacking civilians even as you read this.
According to a first-hand account from Darfur, "People in Elfasher (my hometown where my mother, sisters, brothers and their children are still there) saw military jets and heard loud explosions outside the city. Situation is tense in the city. People stayed at home (no schools or ordinary business). Usually air strikes are signs that the ground troops and Janjaweed are not far."
President Obama, Secretary Clinton and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice must respond. This is the first time that there have been reports of aerial attacks under the new administration's watch. They must send a clear message to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his regime that violence against civilians, peacekeepers and aid workers in Darfur will not be tolerated.
SAMPLE SCRIPT
Hello, my name is (YOUR NAME) and I'm from (YOUR CITY, YOUR STATE). I'm calling to ask President Obama to urgently address the escalating violence in Darfur. According to on-the-ground reports, Omar al-Bashir has launched air and ground attacks throughout Darfur and civilians have been caught in the middle.
President Obama, please demand that Bashir, his regime and the involved rebel groups must immediately cease attacks on civilians in Darfur. Additionally, you should designate a high-level official with the necessary stature, authority and mandate to lead your administration's efforts to reach a comprehensive solution in Sudan. Thank you.
You can also call the State Department's Public Comment Line at 202-647-6575 and leave a similar message for Secretary of State Clinton.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Candidates Will Be a Voice
The following blog by Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition, was posted Tuesday on The Huffington Post.
Throughout this election, both John McCain and Barack Obama promised action in Darfur. On January 20, Barack Obama must be prepared to deliver on that promise.
Over the last few months -- in debates, stump speeches and interviews -- the presidential and vice-presidential candidates have spoken about America's responsibility to help end the genocide in Darfur. Their words were forceful. Sen. Obama said that genocide "diminishes us," and Sen. Biden said he does not "have the stomach for genocide when it comes to Darfur." Sen. McCain said "we have to say never again to a Holocaust and never again to Rwanda" and Gov. Palin said that "America is in a position to help."
It's no accident that the plight of 2.5 million displaced people in a place no one had heard of six years ago is now a top issue on the American campaign trail. Americans have done the unexpected: They started a mass movement to end the suffering of civilians half way around the world. When the people of Darfur were targeted in 2003 by the Sudanese government for elimination, the people of America spoke out.
Obama and McCain responded to this outcry back in May when they signed a rare joint presidential candidate statement. It promised "unstinting resolve" from the next president to end the genocide, no matter who is elected.
When thousands of citizens of conscience spoke with one voice, our leaders listened. Today, with the campaign over and President- elect Obama set to take over in less than three months, Americans who believe we can not stand idly by during genocide have a reminder for the future president: it's not enough to say that genocide is terrible. You have promised action in Darfur. Be ready to deliver.
In 2006, the Save Darfur Coalition launched the "Million Voices for Darfur" postcard campaign. In the dawn of our movement, a full one million people quickly signed and sent postcards to the White House demanding peace in Darfur. Since then, we've seen activists organize mass rallies, states adopt divestment policies at the behest of concerned citizens, and Olympic athletes call on China to use their leverage with the Sudanese government to end the violence in Darfur.
People in Darfur are alive today who otherwise would not be, because this growing constituency of conscience cried out. But still the suffering remains. Six-year-old children in Darfur have known nothing but conflict their whole lives.
The inauguration of Obama presents a new opportunity to push for a lasting peace. He should invest heavily in diplomacy and work with allies to apply leverage on the parties, including further targeted sanctions for uncooperative key players. The U.S. must engage closely with the new U.N.-A.U. joint chief mediator Djibril Bassolé and other key nations, such as China, from the start of this fragile, vital process.
Civilian protection will help create an atmosphere that fosters a push for peace, but the hybrid U.N.-A.U. peacekeeping force is floundering. Earlier this month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon broke the bad news that by December - almost eighteen months after the force was authorized - perhaps only two thirds of the total force is expected to be deployed in Darfur. As is, the force lacks basic logistical support such as helicopters, aerial reconnaissance, transport trucks, engineers to build military installations, and logistical support units. And what's more, the Sudanese government has been given an unconscionable veto over the force's composition and operations. An American president with commitment and leadership can provide the necessary support and pressure, making the peacekeeping force in Darfur operational and saving lives.
President-elect Obama will have to contend with many vital issues, not the least of which is the health of our economy. But let us not forget that one of these issues must also be stopping genocide in Sudan. The people of Darfur have waited six long years for protection and a chance at peace. The next president must be resolved to place this African region on top of his must-do list; he must be prepared to act for Darfur from day one.
Our movement has staying power. We ask for protection of civilians from violence, starvation and disease; sustainable peace for all Sudan; and justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. Barack Obama must end this genocide instead of continuing to manage it. It's not too much to ask.
Jerry Fowler is president of the Save Darfur Coalition and is leading the "Be a Voice for Darfur" campaign to collect one million postcards for delivery to the next president urging him to make Darfur a top priority.
Throughout this election, both John McCain and Barack Obama promised action in Darfur. On January 20, Barack Obama must be prepared to deliver on that promise.
Over the last few months -- in debates, stump speeches and interviews -- the presidential and vice-presidential candidates have spoken about America's responsibility to help end the genocide in Darfur. Their words were forceful. Sen. Obama said that genocide "diminishes us," and Sen. Biden said he does not "have the stomach for genocide when it comes to Darfur." Sen. McCain said "we have to say never again to a Holocaust and never again to Rwanda" and Gov. Palin said that "America is in a position to help."
It's no accident that the plight of 2.5 million displaced people in a place no one had heard of six years ago is now a top issue on the American campaign trail. Americans have done the unexpected: They started a mass movement to end the suffering of civilians half way around the world. When the people of Darfur were targeted in 2003 by the Sudanese government for elimination, the people of America spoke out.
Obama and McCain responded to this outcry back in May when they signed a rare joint presidential candidate statement. It promised "unstinting resolve" from the next president to end the genocide, no matter who is elected.
When thousands of citizens of conscience spoke with one voice, our leaders listened. Today, with the campaign over and President- elect Obama set to take over in less than three months, Americans who believe we can not stand idly by during genocide have a reminder for the future president: it's not enough to say that genocide is terrible. You have promised action in Darfur. Be ready to deliver.
In 2006, the Save Darfur Coalition launched the "Million Voices for Darfur" postcard campaign. In the dawn of our movement, a full one million people quickly signed and sent postcards to the White House demanding peace in Darfur. Since then, we've seen activists organize mass rallies, states adopt divestment policies at the behest of concerned citizens, and Olympic athletes call on China to use their leverage with the Sudanese government to end the violence in Darfur.
People in Darfur are alive today who otherwise would not be, because this growing constituency of conscience cried out. But still the suffering remains. Six-year-old children in Darfur have known nothing but conflict their whole lives.
The inauguration of Obama presents a new opportunity to push for a lasting peace. He should invest heavily in diplomacy and work with allies to apply leverage on the parties, including further targeted sanctions for uncooperative key players. The U.S. must engage closely with the new U.N.-A.U. joint chief mediator Djibril Bassolé and other key nations, such as China, from the start of this fragile, vital process.
Civilian protection will help create an atmosphere that fosters a push for peace, but the hybrid U.N.-A.U. peacekeeping force is floundering. Earlier this month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon broke the bad news that by December - almost eighteen months after the force was authorized - perhaps only two thirds of the total force is expected to be deployed in Darfur. As is, the force lacks basic logistical support such as helicopters, aerial reconnaissance, transport trucks, engineers to build military installations, and logistical support units. And what's more, the Sudanese government has been given an unconscionable veto over the force's composition and operations. An American president with commitment and leadership can provide the necessary support and pressure, making the peacekeeping force in Darfur operational and saving lives.
President-elect Obama will have to contend with many vital issues, not the least of which is the health of our economy. But let us not forget that one of these issues must also be stopping genocide in Sudan. The people of Darfur have waited six long years for protection and a chance at peace. The next president must be resolved to place this African region on top of his must-do list; he must be prepared to act for Darfur from day one.
Our movement has staying power. We ask for protection of civilians from violence, starvation and disease; sustainable peace for all Sudan; and justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. Barack Obama must end this genocide instead of continuing to manage it. It's not too much to ask.
Jerry Fowler is president of the Save Darfur Coalition and is leading the "Be a Voice for Darfur" campaign to collect one million postcards for delivery to the next president urging him to make Darfur a top priority.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Dear President-Elect Obama
During his campaign, President-Elect Obama pledged to "make ending genocide in Darfur a priority from Day One" of his new administration. It is important that he be held to this promise--that as activists we push now for the end of this genocide, not just a continued management of the crisis. According to the Save Darfur Coalition, "Bold steps will require a "peace surge" by the new Administration; strong American leadership and full-scale use of diplomatic resources can create a peace process that would finally achieve a breakthrough which ends the conflict."
There are many simple actions that you can take to help make sure the president-elect upholds his campaign promise. The most simple is to sign the petition to President-Elect Obama on this page (in right column). You can also go to Save Darfur, read the press release on this issue, and download the letter to President-Elect Obama, then write your own letter to the president-elect.
John Prendergast, ENOUGH! co-chair, said, “The election of President Obama is an opportunity for a fundamental change in the world’s approach to Sudan. The time is ripe to work with our international partners, including China and the European Union, to stop simply managing the symptoms of Darfur and actually end the conflict.”
Finally, you can write to your Senators and ask that questions about Darfur are included during confirmation hearings for officials in the Obama administration.
Don't let this opportunity pass us by. Take action today!
There are many simple actions that you can take to help make sure the president-elect upholds his campaign promise. The most simple is to sign the petition to President-Elect Obama on this page (in right column). You can also go to Save Darfur, read the press release on this issue, and download the letter to President-Elect Obama, then write your own letter to the president-elect.
John Prendergast, ENOUGH! co-chair, said, “The election of President Obama is an opportunity for a fundamental change in the world’s approach to Sudan. The time is ripe to work with our international partners, including China and the European Union, to stop simply managing the symptoms of Darfur and actually end the conflict.”
Finally, you can write to your Senators and ask that questions about Darfur are included during confirmation hearings for officials in the Obama administration.
Don't let this opportunity pass us by. Take action today!
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