Oregonians Mobilize Campaign to Support Darfur

The UN estimates that 35,000 Darfuri’s are dying each month, and this figure could soon rise above 100,000 per month.

Courtesy: portraitsofhumanity.org

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon activists concerned with the plight of Darfur are asking others to join them in a letter writing campaign targeting U.S. Senators.

Alysha Atma with i-ACT, says the objective is to affect change, bring awareness, and educate senators that have not effectively stood for action and given their voices for Darfur.

"We are asking for change; a voice, and empowerment for those voices that are not reaching our government. Our mission is to bring the voices of the Darfur refugees forward through the actions of Oregon citizens."

The event takes place at Park Bistro, located at 615 SW Park Avenue in Portland, Oregon July 19th 2009. The hours are from 4:00 t0 8:00 p.m. and people can drop in any time.

Atma says they offer a very sincere and grateful thanks to Park Bistro for allowing i-ACT the use of their facilities and serving their amazing food.

Park Bistro is owned and operated by local chef Michelle Carlton since 2007. The restaurant serves foods that are healthfully prepared, and locally sourced as much as possible. The flavors are inspired from cuisines from around the world. The cost is $10 a person. Alysha Atma said, "We will provide food, letters, supplies and information."

She says that in accordance with Jan Egeland, the UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs, they are writing out of deep concern over the genocide in Darfur.

"Genocide cannot continue on our watch! America MUST take a more resolute stance on Darfur. Since 2003, government and militia forces have killed over 200,000 in Darfur and caused the starvation of an additional 200,000."

If you know history, then you know what happened during the Rwanda Genocide in 1994, when almost a million people were murdered in a few short months.

The UN estimates that 35,000 Darfuri’s are dying each month, and this figure could soon rise above 100,000 per month.

"Since 2003, over 2.5 million have been displaced as a result of the genocide. In March 2009, the situation grew exponentially dire as Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir expelled 16 aid agencies from the region after he was indicted for crimes against humanity and war crimes."

Alysha Atma says the problems surrounding Darfur are rampant; violence and corruption work together in ways that few western people could even imagine. Statements from the UN give weight to her point.

"Food, water, medicine, and shelter supplies, which were already alarmingly scarce, began to run out in the refugee camps. Still, the world continues to watch as more innocents die as a result of inaction."

Portland, Oregon resident Najam Haq, said, "I am tired of feeling helpless, disenfranchised, un-empowered. I am tired of having to smother my conscience in waiting for my leaders whose conscience seems to have taken a prolonged leave of absence. I feel that I personally need to do something. So I am beginning the process of change with actions upon that part of myself that I have control over. My own personal will. With this will in hand I shall fast in support of the people of Darfur, for as long as my body will permit. I hope to broadcast an unequivocal message, that what is happening in Darfur is not acceptable. Absolutely not acceptable."

Atma added, "We stand and yearn for a world where human rights are respected and a life of dignity is the legacy for every man, woman and child."

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Our president while running for office declared while speaking of Darfur, “If America stands up others will follow. We must not allow this genocide to continue. It will be a stain on all humanity.”

For more information, please contact Alysha Atma at alysha@iactivism.org.