Activists demand decisive action on stopping genocide in Darfur
armradio.am
28.05.2008 13:58
Hundreds of activists gathered in front of the U.S. Mission at the
United Nations in New York City with Darfur advocacy leaders to deliver
thousands of handprints and messages from all over the country
demanding decisive U.S. action to end genocide in Darfur and promote
peace for Sudan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America,
Eastern Region (ANCA ER).
"The Armenian National Committee of America will continue to work to
make sure that action is taken in Darfur. Whether making sure that
peacekeepers are sent, divestment is taking place amongst the various
states, or overall awareness is brought about, we must do all we can to
stop this genocide," commented Karine Birazian, Eastern Region
Executive Director for the ANCA.
Speakers included: Gerald LeMelle, Executive Director, Africa Action;
Eric Gioia, New York City Council Member; Yahya Mohammad Osman, Vice
President, Darfur Rehabilitation Project; Motasim Adam, President,
Darfur People’s Association of New York; Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
Pastor, St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Church; Mohamed Yahya,
Executive Director, Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy; Rev.
Herbert Daughtry, Pastor, House of the Lord Church in Brooklyn and head
of the National Religious Leaders of African Ancestry Concerned about
Darfur, and Michael Perlman and Jodie Manross who provided an
inspirational performance.
Eric Gioia, New York City councilman, commented "our children will say
to us in 10 years, in 20 years, when you found out, what did you do?
And how can any of us look them in the eye and say I did nothing. Good
people, when good people say they stand for something, the question you
have to ask them is what are we willing to do about it, and if the
answer is I am not willing to do anything that the sad truth is you
don’t stand firm."
Father Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic
Church, stated: "we the children and grandchildren of the survivors of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915 remember that it was the kindness of
strangers and aid that came from all over the world especially from the
United States that saved our ancestors. Today, we thank God for his
deliverance and pledge to make our voices heard in the face of evil and
injustice¦"
Cosponsoring the event along with Africa Action were, African Services
Committee, American Jewish World Service, Armenian National Committee
of America, Chadian Association of North America, Damanga Coalition for
Freedom and Democracy, DarfurMetro, Darfur Rehabilitation Project,
Darfur People’s Association of New York, Darfur Vigilers, the ENOUGH
Project, Genocide Intervention Network, Making a Difference (MAD), NY
City Coalition for Darfur, Rock to Save Darfur, Shine a Ray of Hope,
STAND and TransAfrica Forum.
The U.N. Security Council has primary responsibility to maintain
international peace and security. The Presidency of the Council rotates
monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member
States, and on June 1, 2008, the United States will take over the
presidency. Over 450,000 people have lost their lives and millions have
been displaced in the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Although the U.S.
government has acknowledged this genocide, it has failed to take the
necessary action to protect the people of Darfur. Africa Action, the
ANCA, and rally supporters are calling on President Bush to assert U.S.
leadership in support of a multinational intervention to stop the
ongoing genocide in Darfur.