Home > Events > Darfur Action Committee at UCLA Meeting

Darfur Action Committee at UCLA Meeting

The Darfur Action Committee (DAC) at UCLA will be meeting to discuss upcoming events and activities geared to ending the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Action that can be taken will be discussed as well as China and the Olympics, upcoming film screening of Darfur Now!, letter writing campaign, film screening of Screamers, and The Concert to End Genocide.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
7:15 PM - 8:30 PM
Room 5147
Math-Science Bldg.
Los Angeles, CA United States

TIME FOR A MEETING!
Join us tomorrow, Tuesday April 15th at 7:15 p.m. in Math-Science 5147! We will be talking about the issue of China and Sudan, and what UCLA activists can do about it. Be there--you won't want miss it.

------

OUTREACH & LWC
If you want to help out with the Advocacy Committee's new liaison program and help save Darfur by getting letters signed that demand our Congressional representatives respect our wishes for better legislation for peace, contact Rohan Shamapant at thinyellowedpaper@gmail.com or 949-351-5324.

If you would like to sign a letter to Congressman Henry Waxman that the DAC will be using to lobby him, contact Rohan.  Get your friends and roommates and anyone you can to sign it! The more we have, the more powerful we will be. Thank you!

------

OLYMPIC SPONSORS RALLY CAMPAIGN
UCLA is going to be taking the initiative to coordinate a rally demanding VISA make China take appropriate actions in helping end the genocide in Darfur as the host of the Olympics – IN FOUR WEEKS!  We are going to be coordinating with all the West Coast STAND (Darfur Activist) chapters!  This is our one chance to use the incredible leverage we have with China to help bring peace to the people of Darfur – please, now is the time to act!  We need your help to make this rally a success!  For more information, please attend the General Meeting on Tuesday April 15 at 7:15 in Math-Science 5147! Also, feel free to e-mail Rohan Shamapant at visarally.headorganizer@gmail.com or contact him at 949-351-5324! This is the best shot we have of really helping end the genocide, so let's see those dedicated faces!

------

MIGHTY MIC
The Mighty Mic coalition will be putting on its second annual social justice benefit concert, The Concert to End Genocide. The concert will be in Ackerman Grand Ballroom on May 29, 2008, with more details to come. It will take place during "Genocide Awareness Week", a weeklong series of events aimed at raising awareness and encouraging students to action against genocide. If you are interested in getting involved with these events, please contact Nicole Agbayani at MMInternship@gmail.com.

------

UPCOMING EVENTS
The Armenian Students' Association is having Genocide Awareness events planned on April 23rd - a speak-out and silent march at Bruin Plaza at 12:00pm. At night, at 7:00pm, in the Ackerman Grand Ballroom they will have a Genocide Awareness Conference, which will feature a few speakers and performances. (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11352926449)

------

"DARFUR NOW” - film screening
Thursday, April 17th at 7 pm
Q&A panel to follow with director Ted Braun

Incredible documentary about the tragedy in Darfur and what six individuals are doing to bring the genocide to an end.

Creative Artists Agency
Ray Kurtzman Theater
2000 Ave. of the Stars, Los Angeles
FREE Parking
FREE Admission, reservations required at YPICLARSVP@gmail.com

-------

The Olympic Games are rarely without controversy and this summer’s Games are no exception -- demonstrations in Tibet and controversy and protests in the US over China’s human rights record has even hit mainstream media, focusing attention on Tibet and Darfur.  Here is reaction from several groups working for peace in Darfur.

DARFUR NEWS:

Darfur Activists Release Ads, Outline Four Steps China Must Take to End Darfur Crisis
February 15, 2008

Groups:  Given the unparalleled influence China has to affect Sudan's behavior, we will hold China to a 'results-based' test.

WASHINGTON - Today, leading Darfur advocacy organizations released a statement outlining the four actions China should take to show a good-faith effort to address the genocide in Darfur.

The Save Darfur Coalition, ENOUGH Project, Genocide Intervention Network and Dream for Darfur released a joint position paper, a show of solidarity among advocates about the necessary and essential steps China needs to take to end the growing public outcry over China's hosting of the Olympics Games while underwriting a genocide in Darfur.

Darfur activists will also release this week its latest phase of international print advertising pressuring China on Darfur. The ad, running in leading European, Asian, African and the U.S. publications, says "The games China is hosting in Beijing can't hide those it's playing in Darfur." A copy of the advertisement is available at http://www.savedarfur.org/olympic_ad.

Joint Statement on China and Darfur

All nations share in the responsibility to do all they can to help bring an end to the genocide in Darfur, and, after five years of conflict, to help bring peace and security to the people of Sudan.  China, though, has a special obligation to respond.  China also, more than any other government except Khartoum itself, has the ability to help bring peace and security to the people of Sudan.

China's responsibility and leverage stem from its intricate economic, military, and diplomatic relationship with Sudan.  China is Sudan's largest trade partner, major military provider, and consistent defender of Sudan's interests in the United Nations.

This responsibility and leverage also stems from its influence in the world, especially this year.  As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and as acting President when the UNAMID peacekeeping approach was adopted (for which China took much credit), China is uniquely positioned to see that the role of the UN is effective.  And as host of the Olympics this year, and thus temporary custodian of the universal values the Olympics represent, such as peace and cooperation, China has a special duty to ensure that the actions it takes worldwide are consistent with those values.

China did take some helpful actions last year, appointing a special envoy to Sudan, providing military engineers in Darfur, helping with the passage of UNAMID.  Yet, at the same time, China's ties to Khartoum grew closer than ever last year, with a doubling in trade just one example.

Of greatest importance, China's modest helpful steps have not improved conditions on the ground in Darfur.  In fact, the humanitarian and security situation has deteriorated dramatically in recent months, and Sudan has obstructed the deployment of UNAMID to such a degree that it is now entirely unclear whether it can ever be successful.  Beyond that, China has been silent while Khartoum has resisted implementing key provisions of the North-South peace agreement, provided support to the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army, and contributed to the recent attempt to overthrow the Chadian government by arming and supporting Chadian rebels.

The time for patience with Khartoum is long past gone.  Ongoing violence in Sudan and the region, and the fate of millions of displaced Darfurians, demand otherwise.

In particular, given the unparalleled influence China has to affect Sudan's behavior, we will hold China to a "results-based" test.  China should use all the influence at its disposal to press the Sudanese government to a) permit the swift, full and effective deployment of UNAMID; b) implement the North-South peace deal and participate constructively in the Darfur peace process; and c) allow the unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid in Darfur and Eastern Chad.  China will only pass this test once Sudan has acted accordingly in all three areas.

To move Sudan, behind-the-scenes pressure by China is appropriate, and is consistent with how the Chinese government prefers to operate.  But in addition to private pressure, these other steps should also be taken by China to change the approach of Khartoum and move towards peace and security in Darfur.  China should:

1. Immediately provide half of the transport helicopters that UNAMID requires, with support from Europe and the United States for maintenance and contracting arrangements.

2. Support punitive measures, such as UN Security Council targeted sanctions, against Khartoum officials, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved.  UN targeted sanctions should be imposed immediately against government, rebel, or militia officials who are responsible for undermining UNAMID's deployment, the North-South peace deal, or regional stability, such as attempting to overthrow the government in neighboring Chad.

3. Verifiably suspend all military cooperation with the Khartoum regime, including weapons transfers, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved.

4. Work with the United States, France, and the United Kingdom in a quartet supporting UN and African Union initiatives in Darfur, Southern Sudan, and Chad.  This cooperative work on the peace process needs to be comprehensive.  The problems of Darfur, Southern Sudan, and Chad are intertwined, so unless peace is advanced on all of these fronts it will be unlikely to be achieved on any of these fronts.

The Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency in the United States, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, GI-Net empowers individuals with tools to stop genocide through education, fundraising for civilian protection and advocacy efforts.

###

For inquiries regarding these conflicts or more information, please contact GI-Net Education Associate Masaya Uchino.IX.

---------
Inside System of A Down's Screamers: Conversations with Director Carla Garapedian - April 17, 2008

Your chance to discuss the impact of genocide – past and present – with director Carla Garapedian and members of the UCLA community

Hosted by the Armenian Graduate Student Association at UCLA & Melnitz Movies

What --
The evening will begin with a FREE screening of director Carla Garapedian and System of a Down's critically acclaimed political tour movie, Screamers.  Q&A and discussion session immediately following screening.

Reception immediately thereafter. Complimentary refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

When/Where --
Event will be held at the James Bridges Theater on UCLA's campus (Melnitz Hall 1409) beginning at 7:30 pm.  Tickets will be released at the Melnitz box office one hour prior to the event.  Check website for any restrictions - http://gsa.asucla.ucla.edu/~melnitz/SCREENINGS.html

About the Film --
Screamers is an impassioned synthesis of concert film and political expose about System of a Down's intensely personal campaign to stop genocide.  Chronicling the band's efforts to persuade both the British and U.S. governments to recognize the Armenian genocide, Screamers also traces the history of modern-day genocide - and genocide denial.

The Holocaust, Pol Pot's Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur...and every time a U.S. President, a British Prime Minister, a U.N. Secretary General says "Never again." Yet it happens - again, and again and again…

Movie trailer - http://www.screamersmovie.com/

Directions to Melnitz – http://gsa.asucla.ucla.edu/~melnitz/FIND_US.html

 

Cost: Free; open to those interested

For more information please contact

Darfur Action Committee at UCLA darfur@ucla.edu
www.international.ucla.edu/darfur

Sponsor(s): Darfur Action Committee