Global Day for Darfur
Students rally at U.N. building in protest of genocide in the northeastern African country
Karina Vigo
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News
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Roughly four years after the gruesome attacks on Darfur began, 28 countries around the world gathered in an attempt to save Darfurians and bring an end to the horrific conflict that has caused the lives of nearly 400,000 people from a single ethnicity. That day became known as A Global Day for Darfur, and took place this Sept. 16.
24 Hours for Darfur, the flagship event in New York City, was held on 47th Street opposite side of the UN building. A projection screen, visible from blocks away, showed speakers from all over the world. Some were students and teacher activists and some were political figures, like John Edwards and U.N. Deputy Secretary General Mark Brown. Even famous faces like Mia Farrow and Joey Cheek gave a voice.
The purpose: SAVE DARFUR.
Since 2003, the people of Darfur have been tortured by the men known as the Janjawid, "devils on horseback." Without mercy, this Arab dominant Sudanese militia has made it their focus to kill Darfurians, rape their woman, and burn their villages. The attacks have been horrific. So much, that in an interview with the the British news organization, the BBC, a former Janjawid admitted to fleeing the organization leaving his child and wife behind because he couldn't deal with the disgust and remorse.
"The homes were burnt to the ground and the men, women and children were killed - sometimes with the help of government air strikes, if there were survivors they would be left there…mostly they died of thirst or starvation," said a man at the rally who identified himself as Dily.
"It was a good turnout, but it's such a shame that compared to the many great schools around the area so little students showed," said David Oslonov, a human rights activist that attended 24 Hours for Darfur.
"Rutgers itself, having such a rich African American cultural presence, should have a stand of its own here. This is really happening, people!"
Said Samatar, an African American Studies professor at R-N, said, "It's genocide in the 21st century. It's disgraceful."
24 Hours for Darfur, the flagship event in New York City, was held on 47th Street opposite side of the UN building. A projection screen, visible from blocks away, showed speakers from all over the world. Some were students and teacher activists and some were political figures, like John Edwards and U.N. Deputy Secretary General Mark Brown. Even famous faces like Mia Farrow and Joey Cheek gave a voice.
The purpose: SAVE DARFUR.
Since 2003, the people of Darfur have been tortured by the men known as the Janjawid, "devils on horseback." Without mercy, this Arab dominant Sudanese militia has made it their focus to kill Darfurians, rape their woman, and burn their villages. The attacks have been horrific. So much, that in an interview with the the British news organization, the BBC, a former Janjawid admitted to fleeing the organization leaving his child and wife behind because he couldn't deal with the disgust and remorse.
"The homes were burnt to the ground and the men, women and children were killed - sometimes with the help of government air strikes, if there were survivors they would be left there…mostly they died of thirst or starvation," said a man at the rally who identified himself as Dily.
"It was a good turnout, but it's such a shame that compared to the many great schools around the area so little students showed," said David Oslonov, a human rights activist that attended 24 Hours for Darfur.
"Rutgers itself, having such a rich African American cultural presence, should have a stand of its own here. This is really happening, people!"
Said Samatar, an African American Studies professor at R-N, said, "It's genocide in the 21st century. It's disgraceful."
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