Understanding Burma: An Evening With Tim Aye Hardy (Thursday, July 1st)

Hi everyone,

As many of you are already aware, OC for Darfur has expanded its focus to include additional regions where mass atrocities are occurring, such as Burma.

It can be challenging to understand the complexities of ethnically based violence in any country. In Burma, a country that does not allow journalists on the ground, information often gets out only through the underground courage of those who put their lives at risk to tell the story.

We are very excited and grateful to be partnered with University Synagogue and the Irvine Chapter of Amnesty International to offer an event, Thursday, July 1st, entitled, Understanding Burma: An Evening with Tim Aye Hardy.

I had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Tim through the Genocide Intervention Network Carl Wilkens Fellowship. He was born and raised in Burma, and a student organizer of the 1988 protests. His participation in this left him needing to flee the country because his life was endangered.

We will be screening the Academy Award nominated documentary Burma VJ, and having a conversation with Tim after the film. It is a rare opportunity to get him out here to Orange County from his current home in New York. We look forward to hearing his firsthand account of life in Burma and really hope you will join us for this event.

Barbara English
Orange County for Darfur, a project of Living Ubuntu
ocfordarfur.org | calendar | blog | facebook

Understanding Burma:
An Evening with Tim Aye Hardy

Thursday, July 1st 2010
7:00p

University Synagogue
3400 Michelson Dr.
Irvine, CA 92612

Cost:
Free

What is going on in Burma? How is a military machine of 500,000 soldiers able to deny a country of 50 million it’s most basic rights? Why has Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Price Laureate been under house arrest for over 14 years?

Join us for a screening of Burma VJ and a conversation with Tim Aye Hardy.

Visit

http://livingubuntu.org/events for more information. Please RSVP on the website.

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Screening of The Reckoning (Saturday, Sep 19th)

Hi everyone,

For those of us who follow the Darfur crisis, we hear constantly about the ICC (International Criminal Court) and it’s chief prosecutor, Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo (I’m a huge fan).  Yet, I knew so little about the behind-the-scenes story of how the court was formed.

PBS recently aired this fantastic documentary about the court — The Reckoning.  And we’ve secured rights to hold a free screening this month on Saturday, Sep 19th in Irvine.  All details are below.

Many thanks to Peggy and Bridgette for doing all the work in organizing this screening. I hope you will join us.

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

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The Reckoning: Battle for the International Criminal Court

presented by

Orange County for Darfur
Amnesty International, Irvine Chaper

Saturday, Sept 19th 2009
7:00p

Irvine Ranch Water District
15600 Sand Canyon Av.
Irvine, CA 92618

Click here to watch the trailer

An epic, nail-biting account of the new International Criminal Court’s struggle to prosecute perpetrators — however powerful or concealed they may be — of crimes against humanity as the Court fights to establish its own credibility on the world stage.  The film was an Official Selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

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

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Darfur Prisoners Tortured?

Rebel group JEM and Amnesty International are reporting that 82 Darfuri men sentenced to death by the Sudanese government are being subjected to “horrific treatment” – including inhumane conditions and torture.

Up to eight detainees are kept in cells of 2 by 1.5 meters wide, each originally designed for one prisoner. The cells are badly ventilated and detainees have to take turns to sleep. Detainees are prevented toilet facilities between 4pm to dawn and are fed foul food and dirty water. This has resulted in horrendous health problems including numerous cases of kidney infections.

Furthermore, many feel that the death sentences of the men are the result of unfair trials, inadequate legal counsel, and torture as a means of deriving confessions. Confessions under torture are admissible under Sudanese law.

JEM and Amnesty International are urging Sudanese and international authorities to investigate the allegations of inhumanity against the Darfuri prisoners.

On another note, Darfur was included as an “international hot spot” on CNN’s National Report Card for US President Obama’s first 100 days in office.

Ghosts of Rwanda, Thursday April 16th

Hi everyone,

15 years ago this month, 800,000 human beings were slaughtered over 100 days.  How could it happen that the world stood aside and did nothing?

I hope you will join us this Thursday as we remember the Rwandan genocide by screening the exceptionally moving and well-done Frontline documentary, Ghosts of Rwanda.  See a clip from the documentary here.

If you plan to attend, please let us know.  See you then,

Anshul
Orange County for Darfur
ocfordarfur.org

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“Ghosts of Rwanda” screening

presented by
Amnesty International (Irvine chapter)
Orange County for Darfur

Thursday, April 16th at 6:30p

Plumer Hall, Irvine United Congregational Church
4915 Alton Pkwy,
Irvine, CA 92604

For more information, visit livingubuntu.org/events.

4Darfur Awareness Concert

Hi everyone,

Stacy Suh of Troy High School is organizing a concert to benefit Darfur this Saturday, March 14th.  This event is in collaboration with Amnesty International.  Below is a message from her.

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4 Darfur is a benefit concert for the victims of the Darfur crisis, featuring bands: Green, Lon Chaney, Transcend, Basic and Blackout 101. The concert aims to raise awareness about the violence and mass killings that rage on in Darfur, as well as to raise funds to aid victims and support Amnesty International’s campaign to end the Darfur crisis.

Aside from great music, there will be other entertainments, such as henna painting and face painting.

On March 14, from 3 to 7 PM at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa, join us at the  4 Darfur Concert for a night of relaxation and activism. Let us unite together for the common cause.

For online ticket purchase and for more information, visit the website:  http://www.aiusaoc.org/common/darfur_concert.html

Hope to see you there!

– Stacy Suh

Ask the Candidate: Steve Young

The Irvine chapter of Amnesty International and Orange County for Darfur are organizing an informal meeting to discuss human rights with Steve Young, Democratic candidate for US Congress in the 48th district.

Ask the Candidate: Steve Young
Thursday, Sept 25 2008 at 7:30p
Plumer Hall at IUCC
For more information, visit livingubuntu.org/events

I hope you will join me in this unique opportunity to meet Steve, and

• ask questions about human rights issues around the world
• hear his views on the role of the U.S. government, and
• what actions he thinks should be taken

Got questions for Steve? We want to hear from you.  We are accepting questions until Monday, September 22nd.

Please add your questions in the comments section below.

– or –

If you’re coming, please RSVP here.

Darfur Now screening at IUCC

Amnesty International’s local group #178 will be showing Darfur Now at the monthly meeting this Thursday. Barbara will be speaking at this event. If you haven’t seen the movie, please attend this screening.

Here is the trailer.

Darfur Now screening
Thursday, July 31 2008 at 7:30p

Location:
Irvine United Congregational Church (Plumer Hall)
4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92604

For more information, click here.