The Last Survivor

Members of the San Antonio Interfaith Darfur Coalition spent the weekend working with film director Michael Pertnoy discussing future plans for the film The Last Survivor, which was screened at the San Antonio Film Festival today. We will be working with Michael to develop curriculum to go with the film to be used by educators interested in engaging their students in genocide studies. In addition, we are making plans to bring the film back to San Antonio in the spring of 2011 for a community screening and possible educator training. Come to the July SAIDC meeting (July 13, see Upcoming Events in right column for more information) to learn more.

April SAIDC Meeting

April's meeting of the San Antonio Interfaith Darfur Coalition will be a special commemoration of Genocide Prevention Month. We will be showing a sneak preview of the film "The Last Survivor", discussing the activist response to Sudanese Elections and learning about genocide prevention and why it is important.

The Last Survivor follows the lives of survivors of four different genocides and mass atrocity crimes as they struggle to make sense of tragedy by raising awareness and promoting social activism. It won Documentary Feature and Audience Favorite at the Oxford (Mississippi) Film Festival and will play next week at the Dallas Film Festival. The sneak preview is a 20-minute version of the film. The full film may currently only be seen at film festivals.

Sudanese elections are scheduled for April 11-13. There is the possibility of the outbreak of violence around the elections, due to the illegitimate manner in which they are being conducted. We will discuss the activist response to the elections, including information on what YOU can do to help.

Finally, the meeting will include a discussion of genocide prevention and why it is in the interest of the United States to take a more proactive approach in this arena.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13 at 5:30 PM at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell, San Antonio.

Paul Rusesabagina, of Hotel Rwanda fame, will speak at Church of Reconciliation on Sunday, March 14th, 2010. He will speak during the 8 and 10:30 am services and during the Adult Education time in the Parish Hall from 9:15 am to 10:15 am. Visit Church of Reconciliation for more information. 8900 Starcrest, San Antonio, TX, (from Loop 410 North take Starcrest exit and to two blocks north to intersection of Barrington).

Pledge to Protect

It is well established that genocide is a planned activity, not something that "just happens." When talking to survivors of genocide, one hears eerily similar stories, usually beginning with the denial of education. In the past, when the international community has seen precursors to genocide, the response has been ad hoc, with no systematic approach to intervening in an effective way.

The Genocide Prevention Task Force recognized these patterns and problems with past genocides and came out with a series of recommendations to help ensure future signs of genocide will be taken seriously. Genocide is planned, which means it is preventable.

You can be a part of helping to make sure the recommendations of the task force are implemented. The first week of December will be the kick-off of a National Canvass to get people to become a part of the movement to end genocide. You can join by signing up at ipledge2protect.org You can do more by getting your friends to sign up and by holding a Canvass event yourself, at your place of worship, at a social gathering, or even by going door-to-door. All the information you need is at ipledge2protect.org

The movement to end the British Slave Trade began with 12 people committed to seeing its end. It seemed to many like a hopeless endeavor when it started, with the British economy totally reliant upon the slave trade. Yet, it succeeded. The fight to end genocide is just as doable. You can be a part of it, starting today. Go to ipledgetoprotect.org and sign up now. Tell your friends. Become a member of the movement that will end genocide.

Pledge to Protect Conference

SAIDC Advocacy Coordinator and 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow Susan Smylie has been in Washington, DC this weekend attending the Pledge 2 Protect Anti-Genocide Conference.

She is shown here with Carl and Teresa Wilkens and other 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellows.

This is what the Anti-Genocide Generation looks like:










Layla Amjadi, STAND Student Director, inspiring us with her words "We are so blessed to be able to do this work."

Sam Bell, Genocide Intervention Network President, "It's about carrying the faith for a world without genocide with us wherever we go."

Sudan Policy Review

The long-awaited Sudan Policy Review was released by the Obama Adminstration today. Overall reaction from activist organizations is that it stronger than it was believed it was going to be based upon the statements and actions of Sudan Special Envy Gration, that it has the potential to be effective, but that we must keep the pressure on. The real marker of success will be changes on the ground in Sudan, including things like implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan and the ability of Darfuries to return to their homes in peace and safety. In addition, it includes language about accountability for past actions, something that is important to the people of Darfur.

There is a new action on 1-800-GENOCIDE related to the release of the policy. Please take a few minutes to call today and ask to connect to the White House to leave a message for President Obama. You will be given information about what to say prior to being connected to the White House.

You can read reaction/analysis at the following sites:

http://blogfordarfur.org/archives/tag/sudan-policy-review

http://www.enoughproject.org/publications/fierce-urgency-implementation

http://www.genocideintervention.net/network/pressroom/pressreleases/2009/10/19/2881

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-prendergast19-2009oct19,0,7655239.story

Please read this editorial that ran recently in the San Antonio Express-News. It points out the need for us to keep the pressure on President Obama to deliver on his campaign promises.

American Approach to Darfur Genocide Woefully Lacking

Want an easy action to follow up with? Stop Genocide Now has done the work for you, just go here and copy the provided message to send to the White House:

Stop Genocide Now