Going to Jail to Fight Genocide

Despite what some UN diplomats and squeamish academics might be saying, the genocide by attrition continues in Darfur, through the use of rape and denial of humanitarian assistance as weapons of war. There are no gas chambers; there are not even the dramatic village burnings of 2003-5 Darfur. But the conditions designed to bring about the destruction - in whole or in part - of particular groups of people on the basis of their identity continues.

That is why we decided to hold a protest in front of the Sudanese embassy on Monday, and to get arrested when the Secret Service told us to leave.

That is why we fasted yesterday in support of our friend Mia Farrow in her fast for Darfur.

That is why we are raising our voices as loudly as we can to say "Not on our watch!" We need you to write to your Senators, Representatives and to President Obama urging that full humanitarian access be secured and a credible Darfur peace process be created by the U.S. in the next 30 days. We need your to make your voices heard by calling the White House switchboard at 1-800-GENOCIDE with that message.

We had the privilege of being cellmates with some distinguished human rights and civil rights advocates. The legendary Congressman John L. Lewis was with us, along with four other extremely committed members of Congress, Jim McGovern, Keith Ellison, and on the women's side Donna Edwards and Lynn Woolsey. Jerry Fowler of the Save Darfur Coalition joined us as well.

One of the highlights for both of us was the opportunity to listen to Rep. Lewis talk about his 40 stints in jail during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. His descriptions of the horrendous mistreatment by his jailers in Mississippi reinforced to us the historic contributions he and his fellow marchers (which included the elder co-author of this article) made to ending some of the worst injustices here in America.

We need to do the same now to end the bloodshed and desecration in Sudan. We got arrested to shake up the status quo, to demonstrate that peace is possible, and to affirm that Americans all over this country want to see our great nation do all we can to achieve peace in Sudan as soon as humanly possible.

Millions of lives are at stake.

Comments

[gadoo]

Armenian- Americans were promised by President Obama during his campaign that he would unequivocally acknowledge the first Genocide of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and exhibit "unstinting resolve" in ending the kiling in Darfur. Let us hope that he does better with the latter promise.

In Turkey in the beginning of April and again on April 24th, he failed to keep his promise about honestly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide by refusing to call it by its proper name, "Genocide" for fear of upsetting longtime ally Turkey which continues to deny the Genocide occurred.

It remains to be seen what he does with regard to his pledge to do something about Darfur but I am skeptical.

Of note, Turkey has an interesting relationship to both of these Genocides. It committed the first against the Armenians and has never been held accountable, 94 years later, and Turkey currently thinks there is no genocide taking place in Darfur and is quite friendly with the government. This is certainly no coincidence and proof positive of history's relevance to all those who say "who cares about something that happened 100 years ago."

The cycle of Genocide will not properly end unless the truth of all Genocides is justly acknowledged and perpetrators held accountable.

[Flavor]

Mr. Rabbi, thank you for your concern on this matter, we hear in the USA don't know how well we have it. I have to be honest the first time I heard of the darfur tragedy was thru a christian man, and what he said was happening took me by suprise. In this time and day we who know nothing about slavery would not believe what happened to these precious people. I also applaud Mrs. Farrow for her commitment to help these people. I want to throw this out there to you, it takes funds to help Why not set up a site for people to give, $2,$5, $10, $20, ect... whatever they can for this is worth it and I will be the first to donate, I believe we have so many givers in the USA and if you let them know what's going on and allow them to participate you will get the funds needed. Thanks for what your doing.

[courtb]

Thank you so much, Rabbi, for standing up for what you believe in so bravely.

[chaos4700]

Thank you for keeping this very important issue on the forefront. The genocide in Darfur must be stopped and the United States, particularly, needs to help the UN put more teeth behind its confrontation of Sudan's regime.

[tillkan]

He says "But the conditions designed to bring about the destruction - in whole or in part - of particular groups of people on the basis of their identity continues." But this applies to Israel's treatment of the Palestinians from 1948 until now, even more clearly. Plus we Americans are responsible for this one - our taxes pay for Israel's bombers. But god forbid these self-righteous Americans take a stand on Israel - so much easier to stand up for something not controversial like Darfur.

[lightningbolt]

Israel is not committing genocide against the Palestinians. In fact, their population is skyrocketing. Israel uses the weapons the U.S. sends them for self defense, not for genocide.

[chaos4700]

White phosphorous on civilians as self defense? Bombing UN relief stockpiles as self defense? Riiiight...

[WilliamL]

The lack of interest and concern for Darfur-on a mass scale-has/is trully vulgar and amazing and appreiciate your work.

Not sure what will make more take an interest or concern.