Hi everyone,

President Obama was in China earlier this week. Many of us in the anti-genocide movement were hoping he would discuss genocide and Sudan with President Hu Jintao. But he chose not to. This was disappointing. Undoubtedly, the President has a full plate with a whole host of important issues that need attention. However, genocide continues because of apathy and “business as usual”. The United States needs to live up to it’s ideals of justice and freedom and advocate for those whose voices do not get heard; who suffer through the consequences of genocide and such gross violations of their basic humanity.

To continue the pressure on the government, GI-Net, in collaboration with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum is launching a national campaign to get people to join the movement and Pledge 2 Protect. The goal is to gather 100,000 signatures during the first week of December (1-7). Orange County for Darfur is participating in this effort. And we would love to have your support. If you’d like to help, please attend the meeting this week.

Our next planning meeting is this Tuesday, Nov 24th at 6:30p. We will meet at Patty’s office in Newport Beach. Here is the address.

Patty’s office @ 6:30p
2424 SE Bristol Street, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660

We will discuss:

• Update on what’s going on in Darfur, Burma and the Congo.
• Launch of the National Canvas in the first week of December.
• Planning for the screening of The Greatest Silence in early 2010.

If you’d like to get involved and help with the planning of any of these activities, we would love to have you come and attend :)

See you on Tuesday.

Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org | calendar | photos | shop | blog | facebook | twitter

Yesterday, Special Envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration and National Security Council Director, Samantha Power sat down with Jerry Fowler of the Save Darfur Coalition and Layla Amjadi of STAND.  They discussed a wide range of topics regarding the recently released policy by the Obama Administration.

Click here to watch the complete webcast.

Gration:  We don’t have yet all the monitoring mechanisms that we need.  When the NGOs were expelled, we lost some very valuable NGOs that we have not gotten back in yet…  And the fact is that while we’ve been able to compensate for food and water and healthcare and sanitation, some of the protection NGOs have not been able to get back in…

For us to objectively verify, we’re going to have to have different types of NGOs on the ground and more of those NGOs on the ground. And we’re going to have UNAMID with more freedom of movement and the ability to monitor better what’s happening on the ground, so that we can take action.  And those are the things we’re working on right now.

Other highlights that stuck out at me in this illuminating conference include:

• Samantha Power mentioned that  everytime President Obama has sat down with Chinese President, Hu Jintao,  “this issue has been discussed”.
• And Scott Gration mentioned that “a major impediment to [Darfuri] people returning home is the ‘pschological stuff’.”

I’m glad senior officials in the Administration recognize the deep impact of such trauma and how that affects peacemaking.

Hi everyone,

Right now, Barbara and I are in Washington DC attending the Pledge 2 Protect conference. Yesterday we heard a panel discussion on the recently released recommendations from the Genocide Prevention Task Force which includes former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. I was surprised to learn that President Obama has not issued a presidential policy directive on Sudan. The message so far has been that on a critical issue like genocide, we need the clear leadership from the President himself.

Also, Jewish World Watch is expanding their focus on the massive atrocities being committed against women in the Congo. Currently some of their members are on a fact finding mission there. You can follow their progress and personal moving stories on their blog.

Our next planning meeting is this Tuesday, Nov 10th at 6:30p. We will meet at Patty’s office in Newport Beach. Here is the address.

Patty’s office @ 6:30p
2424 SE Bristol Street, Suite 300

Newport Beach, CA 92660

We will discuss:

• Update on what’s going on in Darfur right now.
• What else does the anti-genocide movement need?
• Report from Barbara and Anshul’s trip to DC.
• Planning for our upcoming talk at the "Walk in My Shoes" conference at UCI.

If you’d like to get involved and help with the planning of any of these activities, we would love to have you come and attend :)

See you on Tuesday.

Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org | calendar | photos | shop | blog | facebook | twitter

Hi everyone,

This past week has been quite eventful. On Monday, the Obama administration released their official foreign policy towards ending the genocide in Sudan. This is a step in the right direction, and hopefully it’ll make a significant difference in this critical situation.

Then this past Saturday, a few of us attended the screening of The Greatest Silence, a powerful documentary that sheds light on systemic and horrifying rape and violence against women in Congo. It was a big call to action for all of us and we will be exploring how to organize something locally here in Orange County.

Our next planning meeting is this Tuesday, Oct 27th at 6:30p. We will meet at Patty’s office in Newport Beach. Here is the address.

Patty’s office @ 6:30p
2424 SE Bristol Street, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660

We will discuss:

• Update on what’s going on in Darfur right now.
• What else does the anti-genocide movement need?
• What will it take to end / prevent genocide?
• Our tentative plan for 2010.

If you’d like to get involved and help with the planning of any of these activities, we would love to have you come and attend :)

See you on Tuesday.

Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org | calendar | photos | shop | blog | facebook | twitter

Hi everyone,

The Obama Administration finally released their long-awaited official foreign policy on Sudan. Here is a quick summary. The administration’s policy lays out three strategic U.S. objectives:

1. A definitive end to conflict, gross human rights abuses, and genocide in Darfur.
2. Implementation of the North-South CPA that results in a peaceful post-2011 Sudan, or an orderly path toward two separate and viable states at peace with each other.
3. Ensure that Sudan does not provide a safe haven for international terrorists.

You can watch the whole briefing by Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice and General Scott Gration on the State Department blog. I highly recommend it.

On paper, this policy is a step in the right direction. However, the devil is in the details and we are concerned about it’s implementation. The Save Darfur Coaltion, Enough Project and GI-Net are holding a conference call tomorrow morning at 10a to discuss the implications of this new development. All details are below.

Also, there are quite a few events coming up this week that a few of us will be attending (details below). I hope you will join us.

Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org | calendar | photos | shop | blog | facebook | twitter

—
Sudan Policy Review Conference Call
Tuesday, October 20th at 10:00a PST

Call-in Info: (877) 254 – 9825
Participant Code: There’s no code, just say that you’re calling in for the Sudan Policy Activist Call

Screening of “Worse Than War”

Thursday, October 22th at 7:00pm
Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, CA

Worse than War visits the sites of the worst mass slaughters of the 20th Century with Holocaust scholar Daniel Goldhagen. Encounter killers, survivors, witnesses, journalists and political leaders whose stories provide powerful insights into the scourge of genocide. Followed by a conversation with Rabbis Schulweis and Feinstein and Enough Project founder John Prendergast. RSVP at JewishWorldWatch.org

Ending Violence Against Women in Congo
Saturday, October 24th at 5p
6360 W. Sunset Blvd (between Vine and Ivar, with DeLongpre to the south)
Los Angeles, CA

Please join the Hollywood Film Festival and Enough Project for a symposium, “Ending Violence Against Women in Congo,” which will examine the root causes of the conflict and rape epidemic in Congo, and explore practical ways that American citizens and consumers can play a role in ending the violence. For more information, click here.

Hi everyone,

We had a busy and exciting weekend.  On Friday, we screened Shake Hands With The Devil. Over 35 people attended and we had a lively discussion afterwards.

And then on Saturday, we hosted Carl Wilkens at IUCC.  Over 150 people attended (some from as far as San Francisco) and we raised close to $1000.  All of us at OC for Darfur are extremely grateful to everyone for their presence and generosity.  Here are the pictures from the evening.

Our next planning meeting is this Tuesday, Oct 13th at 6:30p. We will meet at Patty’s office in Newport Beach.  Here is the address.

Patty’s office @ 6:30p
2424 SE Bristol Street, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA  92660

We will discuss:

• Wrap up from An Evening With Carl Wilkens.
• Planning for upcoming talks in Newport Beach and Fullerton.
• Documentary screening for Congo?

If you’d like to get involved and help with the planning of any of these activities, we would love to have you come and attend :)

See you on Tuesday.

Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org | calendar | photos | shop | blog | facebook | twitter

PS:  We found a camera in the reception hall on Saturday.  If you left your camera on Saturday, please get in touch with me.

—
See all pictures from An Evening With Carl Wilkens

Hi everyone,

We have a couple of very exciting events coming up next week.  On Friday Oct 9th, we are screening Shake Hands With The Devil, a documentary that follows General Roméo Dallaire during his first return trip to Rwanda, on the 10th anniversary of the genocide, revisiting the killing fields that still haunt him today.  It is a gut-wrenching extraordinary account by a primary witness.

Then on Saturday Oct 10th, we are hosting An Evening With Carl Wilkens.  Carl was the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda when the genocide began in 1994.  He is a warm, heartfelt speaker and we are honored to have him come visit us in Orange County.

We hope you will join us for both events.  All information is below.  We promise you will have a moving and inspiring experience.

Barbara & Anshul
Orange County for Darfur, a project of Living Ubuntu
http://ocfordarfur.org

—

An Evening With Carl Wilkens

Carl Wilkens, former head of Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) in Rwanda, was the only American to remain in Rwanda when the genocide began in 1994.

Saturday, October 10 2009
7:00p

Irvine United Congregational Church
4915 Alton Parkway
Irvine, California 92604

Cost:
Free

Click here to watch the trailer

Join us to hear Carl’s personal and chilling first-hand account of life for the people of Rwanda as their country collapsed. The evening will highlight what we as global citizens have in common, how our commonalities are so much greater than our differences and what that means for our response to violence – from bullying to genocide.

Please visit http://livingubuntu.org/events for more information.  RSVPs immensely appreciated.

Shake Hands With The Devil
The Journey of Roméo Dallaire

Winner of 2007 Emmy Award, Best Documentary

Friday, October 9 2009
7:00p

Irvine United Congregational Church
4915 Alton Parkway
Irvine, California 92604

Cost:
Free

In 1993, General Dallaire was thrown into a country with only minimal briefing, leading a force that included ill equipped, poorly trained soldiers, some of whom did not want to be there.  Unsupported by UN headquarters, Dallaire and his remaining handful of soldiers were incapable of stopping the killing. This documentary follows Dallaire during his first return trip to Rwanda, early in April 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the genocide, revisiting the killing fields that still haunt him today.

Please visit http://livingubuntu.org/events for more information.  Please RSVP.

###

Here’s another opportunity to contribute to raising awareness and support for the humanitarian efforts in Darfur.  I have two of these bracelets myself.  They are attractive, and I am quite often asked about them when I wear them.  It gives me an opportunity to share information and my concern for the people of Darfur.

Peggy
O C for Darfur

—
Relief Beads is a grassroots campaign raising awareness and support for Relief International’s humanitarian efforts in Darfur.  Founded in 2007, Relief Beads has raised tens of thousands of dollars, which has provided life-saving relief for thousands of refugees.  Each Relief Beads bracelet truly makes a difference!

Contributions raised by Relief Beads aided in the construction of the only Women’s Development Center in Darfur.  The center is a place where women and children victimized by the crisis are able to get professional medical and psychological support.  Relief Beads bracelets are assembled by the women at the center and this provides them with an invaluable opportunity to contribute to their own livelihoods.

Relief Beads is also currently raising funds to build a Children’s Malnutrition Center at the second largest refugee camp in Darfur, Zam Zam.

Please vist the website at www.reliefbeads.org to learn more about this wonderful organization the work they’re doing to help IDP’s in Darfur, and to order bracelets for yourself and your friends!

Hi everyone,

A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks.  Most of us have been busy preparing for our the screening of The Reckoning and Carl Wilkens visit in October.  All details regarding upcoming events are below.

Barbara just returned from the Carl Wilkens Fellowship retreat in Washington DC.  I am sure she will have many experiences to report.  So if you want to hear all about her travels, please come by our planning meeting.

Our next planning meeting is this Tuesday, Sept 15th. We will meet at Patty’s office in Newport Beach.  Here is the address.

Patty’s office @ 6:30p
2424 SE Bristol Street, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA  92660

We will discuss:

• Carl Wilken’s event in the fall.
• The Reckoning screening.
• Our upcoming visit with Senator Barbara Boxer’s office.

If you’d like to get involved and help with the planning of any of these activities, we would love to have you come and attend :)

See you soon.

Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org | blog | calendar | photos | shop | latest updates

::: upcoming events :::

Screening of The Reckoning Saturday, Sep 19th
In coordination with Amnesty International, Irvine Chapter, we are screening this engaging documentary about the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC).  It’s this Saturday, Sep 19th at 7p.  All details are on the website.

Fast for Darfur Saturday, Sep 21st
Gabriel and KTJ of Stop Genocide Now are coordinating a fast for Darfur on Monday, Sep 21st.  I have joined their effort.  Hope you will too.  Click here for more information.

An Evening With Carl Wilkens Saturday, Oct 10th
It’s official — Carl Wilkens is visiting Orange County in October.  He will be speaking at IUCC on Saturday, Oct 10th.  The event website is up.  We have created a trailer to promote the event.  Click here to see it.

Unless he changes his position and takes account of our demands, he is not welcomed in our camps because he does not consider us.

Those words were spoken by a representative of Darfur’s internally displaced persons, who have decided against meeting US special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration when he visits their camps.

The IDPs feel that Gration has “ignored their demand for security” and refused to acknowledge Darfur for what it is – a humanitarian crisis.

Put simply by the representative -

It is better for President Obama to appoint someone else.

Many in the US agree with this view of Gration and what he has accomplished (or hasn’t accomplished). Several had high hopes when he was appointed. Now, many are left wanting more.