Local Action

In hopes of raising awareness about the reality of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, Sam writes every Monday about a key issue in an attempt to stop the atrocity. Doing so may not bring about a wave of change, but it is a small ripple that represents the tide that needs turning.

I wanted to highlight this Nashville event, which coincides with a BIG rally in New York on Sunday. Things are about to get really bad in Darfur, and unless people get together to raise awareness, thousands will die. Get involved and act.

Tennesseans Against Genocide, in association with Vanderbilt STAND and Belmont Coalition Against Genocide, is presenting Darfur Diaries, a powerful hour-long documentary.

Sunday, September 17 is Global Day for Darfur, a day of rallies around the country and world, including a major rally in New York City to coincide with the convening of the 61st General Assembly of the United Nations, to urge immediate international action for Darfur.

We will also have Klint Alexander, a lawyer specializing in international law, who will speak briefly on what is preventing international action at this time and why action is justified. There will be an opportunity for questions.

Money will be collected for two humanitarian organizations with food programs in Darfur: Mazon and the World Food Program.

The humanitarian situation in Darfur is worse than ever. According to the American Jewish World Service, since June the number of Darfurians without access to food aid has doubled. Due to lack of funding, the World Food Program warns of further cuts in food aid by October, which could affect three million civilians.