❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
It isn't that having a President who isn't considered "white" bothers some people to the point of being uncivilized, assaulting people and encouragement of anarchy and sedition, it is that they are afraid if our biracial President is successful or perceived as successful, there may be another "black" President. And these people cannot bear that thought.
This is the most crazy-making election season I can remember in my life time.
I believe that Nazi signs about our President, irrational dislike for President Obama, irresponsible behavior by John Boehner, bullying antics, the stirring up of hate by Sarah Palin, Glen Beck and on and on ~ are rooted in overt and covert racism.
For example Where was all this outrage about our out-of-control budget, when George W Bush was running our national debt off a cliff? The silence from the political right about the hole the USA government was operating in during President GW Bush's two terms was blatant.
And since President Obama was elected, the racists have become emboldened and now we are on the edge of having the crazed bigots represent us in our House of Representatives and Senate.
When the one of the Dixie Chicks said that she wasn't proud of then President GW Bush, there was outrage on Fox TV about speaking this way about a sitting President. Rationally, one could ask why it is okay to degrade the current sitting President. Fox TV is leading the way in the degrading of President Obama.
It isn't enough to vote. We need to be fully aware of who we are voting for. And we need to hold them accountable and most don't take the time to do that. It is like another job to do so.
I feel many vote for people they don't know anything about. And many vote their prejudices, their narrow-mindedness. So if more of those who are guided by their prejudices and narrow-mindedness vote than those who aren't guided by prejudices and narrow-mindedness, we will have some rough times ahead. Rough times that we have no idea how bad it will be.
Click the post title for Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks
We need to speak the truth, no matter who is or isn't listening. Truth is our ally. Certainly the weak lips of Gration - Obama's representative of his administration for Darfur and Sudan issues, is a disaster that just keeps the disaster going for injustice in Sudan. Obama is wrong to keep Gration. But he knows what Gration is saying and Obama, himself, is silent. Obama is wrong. We are on the side of truth. And Obama already has a legacy regarding Sudan that he should be hanging his head in shame about.
Sandra Hammel
First African American president to Promote Injustice in African Country
As the victims and survivors of Darfur genocide, we are not surprised by the results of the Sudanese rigged, flawed elections that have been announced earlier this week, to declare a victory for Omar Al-Bashir, as a re-elected president to Sudan. But we are extremely shocked, and terribly annoyed for the support of some of the international community members, especially, the USA, the UN, the African Union, the Arab League, Muslim world and some of the European countries. It is so painful and enormously unbelievable moments for us, after all this agony, grievances and those beloved families, friends, relatives and people we lost, villages destroyed, our money, properties and animals lost.
We have worked very hard for many years to fulfill justice and promote lasting peace, freedom and democracy in our country. Suddenly, our hopes and dreams were gone without becoming true.
A man who orchestrated and perpetuated a heinous crimes against humanity, committed war crimes, genocide, by wiping out more than 450,000 people in Darfur alone from 2003 to the present day, was set to get away with it. He was to escape justice without accountability, even though he was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) March 4, 2009 with arrest warrant passed against him and other suspects such as Ahmad Haroun, who promoted as a Governor of South Kordoan, Ali Kusheeb, the Janjaweed Leader.
In the peak of the 21st century, before the eyes of the world, Mr. Al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) have been rewarded and promoted for what they did in Darfur for over a decade, including killings, raping, displacing and enslaving the innocent, for no reason other than their ethnic identity, culture, language and beliefs.
People born free and deserving to live free on their land - have been targeted and their oppressors are set to be let go free of charges. When Dr. Martin Luther King said:" I have a dream, " our dream doesn't comes true. He also said: "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last".
But this time, not for us...it is for Al-Bashir and the rest of the NCP, who are killers. They are the ones who are set free at last. It is history repeating itself from America to Darfur of Africa today.
As humanitarian and civic rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King voicing powerful words, said: " It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note in so far as her citizens of color are concerned.Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check; a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds'. But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt."
And guess what?
Who has turned a blind to the suffering of Africans in Darfur? * A man who claims to be in charge of change, democracy and civic rights movement and inheritor of Mr. King's legacy. * A man from the same African decent, and the first African American president of the United States of America. * A man called "Obama" who promised to do as good, as Mr. King asked for. "The United States has a moral obligation anytime you see humanitarian catastrophes. We can't say 'never again' and then allow it to happen again as President of the United States, I don't intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter." Presidential candidate Barack Obama
Unfortunately, President Obama and his administration, specifically, General Gration have deliberately, ignored and turned a blind eye to Darfur and supported the indicted President Al-Bashir and his notorious regime financially, logistically,and technically for the Doha negotiations and the manipulated and stolen elections that were boycotted by Darfuris and major parties in Sudan and by most American people. But Obama's White House says: "Okay" to the Sudan's rigged elections despite the frauds, harassment, blocking the opponents, forcing for voter registration, bribes, intimidation and all kinds of rights violations and free choices.
Therefore, Al-Bashir has been given a green light to win an election without any competition, and he later claimed victory to wash his bloody hands. This happened while the so-called United Nations Security Council remained silent following USA's example with no rejections or objections.
At the end of the day, only the people of Darfur are paying the price because the Sudan government and the Janjaweed are continuously attacking Darfur still now, bombing more Darfuri villages. They have escalated the situation significantly after the election's results were announced Monday April 26, 2010, after threats of demonstrations by the angry civilians rejecting election results declaring Al-Bashir's victory. Since then, extensive troops are surrounding all cities, villages and camps and are blocking roads with people kept hostage in their homes. The forces of injustice are declaring de-facto martial law and affecting restriction of movements, especially in El-fasir, Al-geneina and Nyala. This is in addition to unidentified numbers of causalities that continue to be reported.
Regarding Darfur and Sudan, at this time, there is no clear indication that the USA and its allies' polices are going to protest such vicious actions. But it seems to be that their focus is on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement's (CPA) implementation and the 2011 Southern Sudan's referendum. That is more important to this Obama administration than Darfur and the rest of Sudan. They want to separate the country and keep it apart instead of being united in one Sudan. They have ignored the best and logical fair solution by isolating and changing Al-Bashir's NCP regime, which is the real threat and the reason of Sudan's separation. The USA-led world is determined to pursue a foreign policy path that will lead to the Southern Sudan secession.
It is obviously about interest of oil resources, as well as a religious factor that draws the attention of some in the Obama administration. There has been a significant growth of religious lobbyists' groups who have an interest in Southern Sudan, who are influencing events behind the scenes, as well as, others who are shouting "Save Sudan" not "Save Darfur." Some have even further outrageous views and are jealously claiming that Darfur gotten more attention than it deserves.
Some have ignored the fact that Southern Sudan has it's autonomy governed by Southerners, enjoying a peace that Darfuris lacked under the control of dictatorial fascist government of Al-Bashir, who has made Darfuris' lives suffering a hellish nightmare on a daily basis.
It is bitterness to discriminate against one nation in terms of religion, culture, language, ethnicity, or beliefs, repeating the same policy used by their oppressors. It is terribly sad to see things moving to the opposite direction at the expense of Sudanese people specifically Darfuris and South Sudanese themselves. No wise person would think for a moment that a separation of Southern Sudan from Sudan will gives them more privileges than unity. Sudan is a unique country because of it's strategic location, solid united capacity, riches and spectacular land in its holiness, and a significant amount of a rare resources.
Some are trying to take an advantage of CPA, as if it is a Bible in everything, which was not and never could be perfect. It is a man-made law and could be amended for such useful adjustments to benefit with respect and dignity for all, not just a few. It is totally unjustified when you know the SPLM leader, such as the late Dr. John Garang, who fought for over twenty years, for one united Sudan from Nimoli south to Wadi Halfa north, and Algeniena of west Darfur to the Port Sudan at east. His priority fight and principals were for a united Sudan. He could have been satisfied with a referendum from the beginning and stopped fighting and had what he wanted without more bloodshed. He was one of the most charismatic and farsighted leaders Africa ever had. Therefore, his famous statement is still ringing in our ears: "I need to see Sudan like a dish of salad" - all different colors green, red, white, yellow and black. He died in a mysterious helicopter crash, gone with his secrets forever. God rest his soul in peace.
It is stunning and compelling when political decisions are directed against the people's will. We are against the policies and politics that defy human dignity, human rights and liberty. It is sham to see those shouting "YES, for Justice" yesterday and saying: "NO" today or remaining silent, Mr. Obama. History will never forgive them. The whole world will never forgive them. It is shameful to accommodate the criminals and forget the victims.
We urge and ask President Obama of the most powerful country in the world, America, to reject this sham election and support the International Criminal Court (ICC) to enforce justice in Sudan against the barbaric fundamentalism before it was too late.
We also urging the Special Envoy General Scott Gration to stop promoting the corrupt government in Sudan and its stolen elections. It is unfair to held what so-called "off the records meetings" in certain places to support the rigged elections and Al-Bashir government.
We are so offended to hear the head of South Sudan Mission in the USA, Mr. Ezekiel at the Corner Stone Church of Virginia last April 25, 2010, supporting what general Gration emphasizing about the elections as fair and free.
"We must do it on time to keep the referendum on time. We all knew who was going to win a year ago...if you don't know the results going to be,then you don't know anything" as General Gration stated responding to audience questions even they knew it wasn't right.
Supporting the wrong outcome to justify the referendum regardless how it will affect the whole situation in the country and will make a mockery of our shared commitment to justice, human dignity and our universal human rights.
UPDATE! UPDATE! .......................................... .......................................... The last game with Rafa and David Ferrer Uploaded by meriko100
Monte Carlo Quarter Final Rafa Nadal defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-4, 6-2
Semi Final Rafa Nadal versus David Ferrer Saturday, April 17, 2010 7:30 a.m. USA, EDT
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain during day five of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 16, 2010 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Photo credit: Julian Finney
End of Update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In this post:Rafa in Monte Carlo - up next Quarter Final match
Darfur, Sudan - news and action to take
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Monte Carlo Round 3 April 15, 2010 Rafa Nadal defeated Michael Berrer 6-0, 6-1
Quarter Finals Rafa Nadal versus Juan Carlos Ferrero Friday, April 16, 2010 Second match on Court Central First match starts at 4:30 a.m. USA EDT
TV: The Tennis Channel
Odd thing is this tournament in France has better TV coverage in the USA than the two tournaments that were recently in the USA - Indian Wells and Miami
Boo on USA Tennis TV Coverage It is the pits especially CBS
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Michael Berrer of Germany during day four of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 15, 2010 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Important website with up-to-date on-the-ground reports i on sudan
Open letter by Sudan Democracy First Group to Jimmy Carter Center is below and can be found at ionsudan.net/reports
Please consider emailing the letter to Jimmy Carter's Center at : carterweb@emory.edu
I did.
Here is the letter by Sudan Democracy First Group
April 15, 2010
Dear Mr President,
It is with regret that we find ourselves compelled to write this letter to you on the eve of the close of polling in the Sudanese “elections”, three days before the expected declaration of victory for the National Congress Party (NCP) and its indicted President.
Once more we are writing to ask you to withdraw your observer mission from Sudan and salvage your own personal reputation and that of the Carter Center. Your mission is based on the Declaration of Principles for International Observation and Code of Conduct for International Observers which defines democratic elections as, “an expression of sovereignty, which belongs to the people of a country, the free expression of whose will provides the basis for the authority and legitimacy of government”. It further recognises that, “the rights of citizens to vote and to be elected at periodic, genuine democratic elections are internationally recognized human rights”.
As you will be aware over the last 5 days there have been hundreds of reports of inference with the right to vote from domestic sources, including the media, party agents, and independent civil society groups. The election has been riddled with massive irregularities and fraud not only with respect to matters relating to the voting itself such as the absence of candidates from ballot papers, the rigging of voter registration, and the use of non-permanent voter ink, but also commission of crimes such as the burning of election centers, the beating of voters, forced voting based on violent threats, summary trials of citizens in Khartoum, arrest of candidates, attacks on domestic monitors and so on. Indeed even Mr Alhaj Warrag, a prominent journalist and co founder of SDFG was charged under the Sudanese Penal Code with “waging war against the state” simply on the basis that he wrote an article on April 6th which called for a boycott of the already rigged elections.
It may be as a result of language and cultural barriers that you do not comprehend these incidents, but it is astonishing to us that your public statements since your arrival completely run counter to the on-the-ground reports and realities, seeming to only echo the pronouncements of the NCP and officials from the National Election Commission (NEC). In fact despite your Center’s declared policy of not making public statements during the course of voting, you appear to have judged it necessary to continually speak to the media and to make statements about the election. For example on the 13th of April you told AFP that the problems being reported were “administrative problems” that there was “no evidence of fraud so far as I know."
These statements not only completely ignored the facts and realties on the ground during the polling days, but also jeopardise the efforts of your own staff to monitor the elections fairly and prepare an accurate and credible report. Your statements also undermine the positions of the major political forces and only serve to inflame the fragile political and security context. The boycott of the elections by the majority of the Sudanese in fact helped to prevent the threat of violence, contributing to maintaining the fragile social stability. If there had been a real choice could you imagine the reaction of millions of Sudanese encountering the massive irregularities and fraud which have unfolded during the polling days. You should indeed thank those who boycotted the elections for saving Sudanese lives by preventing bloody confrontation.
Our belief as SDFG is that the opening of the polls was simply the second phase of the well prepared rigging process for this election. The pre-polling prerequisites for legitimising the victory of the NCP and its President were already in place well before April 11.th As our latest public statement put it, “the census results were manipulated, constitutionally inconsistent laws were deployed restricting basic freedoms, electoral constituencies were delineated to suit the interests of the NCP, the voter register was maneuvered around predicable and determined outcomes (places and votes), and State resources were monopolized, including access to the media and corrupt and unlimited expenditure during the campaign.”
The Carter Center had already reported on these major violations of the pre-election process: indeed the assessment of the Center was one of the main bases upon which the major political parties made the decision to boycott the elections. You will be very aware that Center itself was also a prime target of this intimidatory violence with its staff suffering harassment, arrest, interrogation and expulsion. We are completely at a loss to understand why your public statements contradict not only those of independent Sudanese voters and major political and civic forces of Sudan but also the findings and assessments—and experience—of the Carter Center. Your latest statements have given rise to distrust on the part of Sudanese people towards the Carter Center that will certainly overshadow its impartiality.
In Darfur after issue of the arrest warrant for President the violent threats and attacks by the NCP on the international aid community and Sudanese civil society went largely unchallenged by the international community. Forced submission to the power of the NCP paralysed the Darfur region, creating an increased state of fear. Once again in the context of these elections the vicious threats and attacks against the international community – this time against election observers –have been swallowed with little protest, let alone withdrawal and refusal to lend legitimacy. Sudanese people watch as the international community once again abandons the civic and political rights of the citizen and the future of democracy to the ascendency of the NCP. The international community already failed when they sacrificed justice in Darfur for an illusory peace with the Darfur Peace Agreement, and they achieved neither. Now with the current elections internationals need to learn that peace and democracy are also inter-related and interdependent: there is no room for further failure that costs more Sudanese lives.
We note with appreciation that European Union observers pulled out of Darfur: yet you did not, relying on an inexperienced UNAMID assessment. UAMID officers were kidnapped in the last days as a statement against their complicity in these elections. Was Mr Ibrahinm Gambari the head of UNAMID the appropriate authority to give the go ahead to the Carter Centre to deploy and monitor elections in the war zone of Darfur? The internally displaced communities, Darfurian civil society, rebel groups, and major political parties had all said elections in Darfur were impossible—whether in terms of their very conduct, fairness or appropriateness. The Carter Center’s deployment and monitoring of polling in Darfur is only adding to the political and security fragmentation of Darfur. We are sorry to see now that your judgement about elections in Darfur only adds to the questions which were raised about your statements in 2007 on the scale of the atrocities in Darfur when they were used indirectly to support NCP propaganda at that time.
As a civil society Sudanese coalition including representatives from a range of communities, farmers, workers, displaced people and activists, we appreciate the international community’s acts of solidarity and support towards Sudan. We are committed to the rules and principles of international instruments and institutions. We will however openly reject any paternalism or neo-colonial attitudes towards the will of the people of Sudan.
Mr. President: As a leader coming from a country which has progressed thorough a long heritage of democratic principles and practices, we expected you to respect and observe that human beings, regardless of their wealth, colour of skin or geographical location are entitled to exercise their political will safely, freely and fairly. This is the only sustainable means for peace and stability.
We are deeply disappointed Mr President that despite your avowed independence as observer and your profile as a leader of democracy in your country you appear to have become part of the recent invasion of conservatism and international and regional actors to pressurise Sudanese political forces to not boycott the elections. SDFG and many advocacy groups have reported and documented the orchestrated efforts led by the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, to bring on board leaders such as former South African President Mbeki, organisations such as the Arab League, individual countries, and pro government regional NGOs. As we noted in our last statement which challenged such kinds of international interference, the right of self determination for the people of South Sudan, and popular consultation for the people of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, must be protected and implemented on time with international support, "without any compromise or connection with the current corrupted electoral process”.
The Carter Center’s reputation is on the line in Sudan, with the imminent reproduction of a regime with a history of two decades of repression and violence and the future of peace, stability and democracy in Sudan in the balance.
We ask you to consider your position very carefully and withdraw prior to the announcement of the already known results of these “elections”.
Yours sincerely, Sudan Democracy First Group
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Reporting on the Sudan Elections
On the last of five days of polling in Sudan, reports from across the country continued to document technical problems, electoral irregularities, and unfortunately violence and intimidation.
News was dominated by reports that nine members of Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) were killed in South Sudan three days ago. The NCP blamed the Sudan People's Liberation Army - but SPLA leaders denied the violence was coordinated and described the incident as an isolated, individual crime by one of its soldiers. In other news, the youth movement Girifna reported on its website that two of its members had been detained in Khartoum yesterday. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the Sudanese authorities to immediately drop criminal charges against prominent journalist and opposition party member Al-Haj Ali Warrag. Authorities charged Warrag on Sunday with "waging war against the state" in connection with an article that he published on April 6.
The National Election Commission yesterday estimated the voter turnout ranged widely from 63% to 82% in each state, though these figures have been questioned. With polling now complete, all eyes turn to the announcement of results and the reaction of world leaders across the globe. Vote counting will begin tomorrow and the National Elections Commission plans to begin releasing results next Tuesday, April 20. Many Sudanese fear the possibility of post-election violence.
April 14, 2010 (girifna)–This afternoon two of girifna activists were subjected to the terrible acts violence, beating and destruction of property by 10 members of the NCP ,while the police personnel watched indifferently.
Mrs. Najla Seed Ahmad (a well known human right activist , courageous reporter and a girifna volunteer) and Mr. Bakri Ahmad Weda-talla (a youth activist) were reporting voting irregularities in Omdrman- Omdada district- Alamir 1 constituency– known to be an opposition strong-hold area’.
They were unlawfully detained by a team of NCP workers/ security forces personnel and beaten brutally on the street because they refused to be taken to “undisclosed location”. They were then taken to the nearest police station after girifna was able to leak the news to the local and international media, and false charges were registered against both of them. The first charge was kidnapping, which is soon replaced by more realistic and effective one: ”indecent behaviour’ !!
Girifna demands that the aggressors, one of which is identified as Mr. Najam aldeen Khogali Abas ( a local NCP leader) and his gang. be put to justice and that measures are taken to protect Sudanese civil rights activits from such practices in the future. Girifna shall not be intimidated by such acts of terror and will not stop at anything short of a free and democratic Sudan no matter what sacrifice we have to pay. We ask the NCP regime to respect basic civic and political rights granted to us through Sudan’s Interim National Constitution.
We plead with the international community and peace loving nations to stand by the Sudanese people who are suffering the most terrible abused for just standing for their basic civil rights denied to them by the regime in Khartoum .
Sudanese women cast their votes in Hosh Bannaga, the hometown of ruling President Omar al-Bashir, on April 12.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images
A Sudanese boy holds a bunch of southern Sudan flags picked up from the ground after a political rally in Juba on April 9.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
An election worker prepares a ballot at a polling station in Juba on April 11.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Residents of a neighborhood in Juba, sit in the shade next to a collection of rocks, pieces of bone, old boots, and discarded boxes marking their place in line outside a polling station on April 13. This group waited for hours for the station to open but were never able to vote.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the current south Sudan leader and head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, Sudanese Vice President Salva Kiir, wave flags and portraits of him as his bodyguards pass during a rally in Juba on April 9.
[Montréal, Québec, Canada 13°C] Political dissent could be a dangerous activity, depending on where you live and how your government treats dissenting voices. In Sudan, reaction to dissent in Darfur by the Sudanese government led to mass displacement of its population into refugee camps in Chad or into displacement camps within Darfur. Reaction to dissent by rebel groups also led to violent attacks, mass killings, and other tactics that were commonplace during the North/South civil war that ended in 2005.
(source: A mugshot of Omar al-Bashir taken from Girifna Facebook page.)
These government tactics also led to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. Charges of genocide are pending review.
A Geoffrey York article published yesterday in The Globe and Mail, introduced me to a dissident group based in Khartoum called Girifna, which according to their website literally means “we are disgusted” and metaphorically, “we have had enough.” They describe their beginning:
In the evening of October 30, 2009 a group of three friends in Khartoum noticed on the eve of registration day that Sudanese citizens had no information about where to go to register and no national campaigning by the government or civil society groups was taking place. This was a problem, because no registration meant no voting. The group was propelled to start a peaceful quest for change based on a campaign that urges citizens to register so that they have a role in ridding the country of the National Congress Party (NCP) that has ruled for 20 years through a military coup. On the following day the group printed informational brochures urging people to register and they received support from many others who helped with the funding and distribution.
Voter education is Sudan is important, particularly since there has not been any multiparty elections in the country since 1986, so much of the population have never had the opportunity to choosing their government representatives.
High illiteracy rates throughout the country—particularly in outlying regions in the South, Darfur and elsewhere—makes voter education necessary to consider the elections free and fair. With government control of most of the media landscape, popular education like handing out anti-establishment voter education pamphlets (see video below) by Girifna activists is indeed an act of bravery.
(13 April 2010) Following the second day of voting, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies noted that the National Elections Commission (NEC) had failed to solve many of the technical and procedural problems reported in the first day of voting. Although the NEC attempted to portray problems as isolated incidents, admitting problems in only 26 polling centres, reports from national observers and representatives of candidates indicate that the problems are widespread.
ACJPS has documented a number of abuses, including:
·Delays in opening the polling centres: A polling centre in Aldaim Area was opened at 12:00PM rather than 8:00AM as stipulated by the NEC.
·Irregularities in voters’ lists: The Osman Abashar Tayba Falatah Centre in constituency number 16 of Jazeera state had still not been provided its voter’s list on the second day of voting. In geographic constituency number 39, a polling centre at Alshaheed Altahir School, the voter’s list was missing all names starting with the letter L. In geographic constituency Um-Doum Al-dalang in South Kordofan, the voters list at the polling centre was completely different from the NEC approved list. In Kadguli in the Nuba mountains where the SPLM and other political forces have majority support, the number of voters on the list dropped from 38,000 at the end of the registration to 29,000 at the opening of the polls. Meanwhile, the Alrashad Area in South Kordofan, believed to have majority NCP support, had the number of the voters increased by 63,000 from the closing date of registration. In the Kalbos and Seriya constituencies in West Darfur, 200 names on the voter rolls were identified by local observers as individuals who had died years before the registration had taken place.
·Inconsistent voting requirements: In constituency number 2 in central Omdurman, the director of the voting centre refused to permit individuals to use residency certificates as proof of identity, despite NEC’s position that these should be accepted. Although the use of these certificates has been controversial, it is important that standards be consistently applied.
·Irregularities in ballot papers: The independent candidate Dawod Ahmed Eltahir, running in geographic constituency no 2, South East Elfashir Centre 19, Altaahiel Altarbawi area reported that he could not find his name or symbol on ballot paper and the NEC suspended the voting. In Soba and Albgogaa Alula constituencies, the symbols of candidates were incorrect. The SPLM and the Justice Party of Maki Ali Balayil believe that they have strong support in these constituencies. In addition, political party representatives were not allowed to watch ballot boxes at the voting centres, as provided for in the electoral procedure. In Alobied, centre number 16, the list of political parties list was not received at all. In geographic constituency number 34 of Umbada in Omdurman, the symbol of the independent candidate did not appear. In Wasat, constituency number 3, in Nyala, the symbol of the Popular Congress Party was missing from the ballot papers.
·Denial of access by representatives of political candidates from the polling centres: In Touti centre, in geographic constituency number 27, an electoral official dismissed Nahla Sluiman Alameen and Mohamed Salih Rafai, representatives of the independent candidate for the national assembly seat Suliman Alameen. These two had objected to many violations to the rules of voting (these objections had included permitting mentally incompetent persons to vote and the granting of residency certificates without provision of identification or registration numbers), and their camera was broken. In the same centre, two representatives of political parties had been arrested on 11 April, including Mohamed Isam of the Popular Conference Party. 12 Beja Conference representatives were kidnapped in Haya, in eastern Sudan. The Beja candidate today filed a complaint with the Port Sudan police.
·Irregularities in handling ballots: Polling boxes were not delivered to polling centres in Kawda and Buram in South Kordofan. In Constituency 8 of Jabra in south Khartoum, boxes were observed being handed over the wall of the polling centre by army officers who were not charged with elections duties. The Democratic Unionist Party candidate, Wagie Alla Mohamed Alhaj, withdrew from the race because of this incident, claiming that it was a clear attempt to rig the vote. The NEC acknowledged the incident, but described it as a mistake saying that the door was closed, which is why the boxes were moved over the wall of the centre. In El Geneina, a car without license plates carried away ten boxes of ballots without being accompanied by election officers or observers. The NEC claimed that this was a mistake.
·Security harassment and arrest: Badr Aldein Abd Allah Alemam, a nationally accredited observer in Khartoum State, geographic constituency number 32 in the Suba Alazhary Alsalamah area was prevented by national security officers from entering the polling centre and beaten. The NEC later intervened and he was allowed to enter. Two female candidates from the Popular Congress Party in Jazeera State named Amira Elsir Hassan Ahmed and Alniamah Awad Shararah in constituency number 5 of Alhasahisa Central in the Wad Bahai area were arrested to prevent them from observing the voting, despite prior authorisation. Two political activists were arrested in West Darfur, Mohamed Bahar Aldin and Mohamed Abd Alfaraj. Bahar Aldin had reportedly participated in an interview with BBC three days earlier in which he was critical of the election and NEC. On Touti Island in central Khartoum, the Popular Congress Party reported that two of its observers were arrested by security forces.
While the ACJPS welcomes the decision by the NEC to extend voting for two days to address logistical problems, it underscored that these procedural violations are not the only indicators of that the elections are not free and fair. Restrictions on peaceful political activity in the run up to the elections, manipulation of the census and registration processes, and lack of opportunity for meaningful participation by opposition political parties are all issues that need to be urgently addressed. The Centre reiterates its call for reforms in the voting regime in order to facilitate political participation, reform the National Elections Commission, and rectify problems in the registration process. All of these factors have severely circumscribed access for some voters, and must be rectified in order to allow for elections in which the will of the Sudanese people can be clearly heard.
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies is dedicated to promoting human rights and the rule of law in Sudan through ongoing monitoring of human rights violations in the country, promotion of legal reform and the understanding of legal challenges facing Sudan and national and international advocacy on these issues. www.acjps.org
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Obama's Sudan Fumble
How the U.S. president is bungling Sudan's elections -- and it will come back to haunt him later.
Sudan is voting in its first national elections in over 20 years, and the process is playing out much as one might expect, given that the country's ruling National Congress Party is led by accused war criminal President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Much of the international reporting so far has focused on the numerous irregularities and technical glitches that have become apparent as voting unfolds, almost all of which (surprise!) seem to favor the ruling party. But this is an election that was effectively stolen long ago, as the Sudanese government steadfastly refused to implement the provisions of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that were supposed to create a free and fair environment for elections. Instead, press freedoms remain badly curtailed; the dreaded national security service still detains opposition figures at will; freedom to publicly assemble is denied; and everything from voter registration to the printing of ballots has been skewed to assist Bashir in his desire to stage-manage an election without actually risking a fair vote.
For veteran Sudan watchers, none of this comes as much of a shock. Analysts looking for democratic upsides have had to console themselves with the few examples in which opposition groups have gained a toehold of political space to publicly question the regime. What is more surprising, however, has been the muddled and squeamish posture of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration toward Sudan's election -- one that underscores a larger, ongoing struggle to place democracy promotion effectively within the context of U.S. foreign policy more broadly.
Obama's special envoy for Sudan, retired Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, no stranger to gaffes, triggered his most recent bout of eye-rolling in both Sudan and Washington when he emerged from a meeting with the National Election Commission 11 days ago and declared that the commission's members had given himboycotting the election "confidence that the elections will start on time and they would be as free and as fair as possible." The comments were unfortunate enough by themselves, but their timing also conspired against them; Gration spoke just as increasing numbers of opposition parties and candidates were either completely or pulling out of the presidential contest -- as did the largest party in South Sudan -- because the election was transparently neither free nor fair.
Why the rose-colored glasses from the special envoy? Gration is clearly eager to view this election as a necessary benchmark, a box to check, on the road to the broader issue of independence for South Sudan, which will be determined in a January 2011 referendum. Any suggestion that Sudan's election was flawed could provoke Bashir to try to disrupt the January referendum, Gration fears, and indeed, Bashir has made threats to this effect. Still, the imperatives of his short-term diplomacy seemed to be at odds with the long-term goal of transforming Sudan into a freer and more democratic place.
Here is where we see some interesting parallels with two other recent elections, both initially mishandled by the administration: those in Afghanistan and Iran. In all three cases, the administration seemed reluctant to acknowledge upfront that the elections were profoundly flawed, even though it had more than enough evidence to that effect. In all three cases, the administration moved only slowly to toe a tougher line -- after widespread howls from human rights activists, opposition parties in the respective countries, the media, and Republican critics were heard first.
Obama was wise to move away from the bellicose democracy-promotion of George W. Bush, and the president used his June 4 Cairo speech to make the case to the Islamic world that he would take a more respectful, nuanced approach to that region than did his predecessor. That is all well and good. But trying to reset the tone and engage in effective dialogue just won't work if it also entails obvious denials of reality. Pretending that Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his allies did not engage in widespread fraud did nothing for U.S. credibility or Washington's strategic partnership with Kabul. It shouldn't have taken days after the Iranian presidential vote for Obama to acknowledge that every vote deserved to be counted and that basic freedoms needed to be respected -- yes, even if his administration was having a high-wire dialogue with Iran on the future of nuclear weapons. Now again in Sudan, the special envoy shouldn't bless a tragically flawed election with the copacetic stamp of "free and fair enough" -- even as we ponder the likelihood that the country will split in two next January.
There's no need to sacrifice U.S. policy goals to lofty truth-telling. In fact, there's a case to be made that diplomatic goals are actually better achieved with frank honesty when elections don't pass the smell test. For example, if the administration had taken a tougher line with Khartoum about creating the underlying conditions for a free and fair national election, the country would already be further down the road toward creating genuine power-sharing in Sudan. Such an arrangement would in turn incentivize Bashir not to engage in adventurism around the upcoming independence referendum, and it would be an important step toward preventing future conflicts in Northern Sudan -- after the South heads for the exit. Would negotiating all this be difficult? Absolutely. Yet, grasping the nettle now seems far preferable to watching from the sidelines as Sudan descends into broader conflict -- again.
So if shouting about democracy from the rooftops à la George W. Bush was not effective, neither will be defending democracy in mumbled tones. One hopes that this administration has learned from its initial stumbles. Obama will have an important opportunity to get it right when he offers his first public comments on Sudan's election in the days to come.
When three of us showed up, and few came after us, we discussed why people may not show up like they did when I fist did a walk in 2007. I have done four major events now and only one of them received people from three states and that I didn't know were coming.
Reasons could be:
1) the economy
2) the news has decreasesed even more about Darfur, so it gets ignored
3) people are stressed out in their lives
4) people don't care or don't know
The last thing about people not knowing is still so very true. My brother asked me recently when Haiti had the earthquake, if Darfur and Haiti were the same place and didn't they have the same problem.
People still don't know what genocide is. I prefer using other words to describe what it is, such as targeting a group of people to get rid of, whether by direct killing or by more indirect means, such as withholding care, food and water. And also rape as a tool of exterminating a whole ethnic group or race.
I made this video of our Walk to End Genocide for Sudan
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The Walk to End Genocide for Sudan was in Newport, Rhode Island
April 11, 2010 Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog ............................................................
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Uploaded at Facebook, too
Best to watch in High Quality - HQ
Here is my speech
The first part given at the start of the walk and the second part given at the end of the walk.
Touro Park little speech – 3 minutes
Welcome on behalf of the Darfuri people and all the Sudanese marginalized people.They appreciate your moral support more than you know.I know for me, knowing this personally, has moved me to stay inspired to keep doing this volunteer work toward treating human beings with dignity, especially around the reoccurring theme of genocide on this planet.
We come together in solidarity for justice for people most of us have never met, but feel the need to make our desire for freedom for all - known.Today is the first of3 days in Sudan for national elections. These elections are a sham and make a mockery of the CPA - the peace agreement that brought us to this day.At the end of our walk we will have a speech, where more will be explained about the election, music and actions that each one of us can continue to take.Making an effort to drag our leaders toward doing something right about something that is very wrong. (Comprehensive Peace Agreement)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your presence here today. If you want to talk to me in the future, provide your email and phone number on the petition. And if anyone wants to see the pictures and video from today, please provide me with your email address. When I post it online, I will send you a link.And do check out our new grassroots website: i on sudan
Let’s Walk to End Genocide for Sudan on this day of elections in Sudan
Speech
Walk to End Genocide for Sudan - April 11, 2010
April – Genocide Prevention Month
Newport
10:29
25 minutes
"If we care, the world will care.
If we bear witness, the world will know. If we act, the world will follow."
Words spoken at the first Darfur national rally,
held on the mall in Washington, D.C.
by Barack Obama April 30, 2006
Moments of silence for those who have died and live with injuries from the hands of the government of Sudan.
Babylon - A Song of Exile~composed by Marguerite Heenehan
I would like to thank Miki Green and Sally Hanchett, who have always been willing to help.
And also my thanks to Marguerite Heenehan who accepted the invitation to sing for us today.Her first song was her own composition: Babylon - A Song of Exile
Later, she will sing Pete Seeger's Golden Thread
In April of 2004, in a private moment I made a decision after watching PBS’ 10 year anniversary airing of Ghosts of Rwanda about the genocide. I decided, then, I would speak out about the immorality of genocide.
November 22, 2005.
I spent the day at the death camp at Dachau, Germany. I spent hours just in one room reading how a genocide comes about. In another room, with two ovens built for the purpose of burning fellow human beings, I stood by German high school students on their field trip.
On the stone structure’s pillars and walls, I read of the unthinkable human experiments done by doctors to the residents of the camp, which were not only Jews, but priests, homosexuals, mentally ill and anyone who disagreed with the dictator, Mr. Hitler. Dachau’s camp was opened March 20, 1933 and the surviving victims were liberated by American forces April 29, 1945. April is Genocide Preveniton Month. The holocaust went on for 12 long years.
I believe that
GENOCIDES GO ON BECAUSE WE THINK IT COSTS US NOTHING,
BUT WE ARE WRONG - it defines us
I wonder how many of us heard about the April 6 anniversary this year of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Even though it took place in Rwanda, it is an anniversary for the world. All genocides are.
I would like to offer some perspective to the reason we gather today and the place we are standing right now.
Historical Town
This is a historical town. Newport. We have a history here rich in examples of how varied human behavior expresses itself. The good, the bad. Just every day average people.
Slave Trade
Newport, Rhode Island played a leading role during the Colonial Period in the Slave Trade.
By 1776, several thousand African slaves lived and work here.
In Colonial times, slaves comprised nearly one third of our town’s total population
with one in three Newport families owning at least one slave.
Jews
When Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism in Europe
and expelled if they refused,
some eventually came to Newport.
In the spring of 1658, fifteen Spanish Portuguese Jewish families arrived in Newport
who formed the beginnings of what eventually is the congregation of Touro Synagogue.
Native Americans- Genocide Right Here
This land was the homeland of people such as the Wampanoag, Coweset, Nipmuc, Niantic, Pequot and Narragansett. The truth is we stand on land that once had an entirely different social structure than the one that came from immigrants.Land that was stolen from those already here, then treaty after treaty was dishonored by the government side of the treaty.And a very neglected story of discrimination became a systematic attempt to exterminate indigenous peoples.So the subject that we are here to speak out against today for Darfuris, is not a remote story that only has happened in a far off land.
Still Tolerated in Sudan
In this 21st century, Genocide is still tolerated.Since, 2004, the world has little more than spoken words
against the actions of systematic extermination by the government of Sudan for the people of the Darfur region.
It has been disheartening to see President Obama’s Special Envoy to Sudan,
Scott Gration, be so very lame, though he promised “carrots and sticks” to his approach,
we have seen nothing but “carrots”.
This in spite a multitude of violations that warrant “sticks”.
His remark of only having “remnants of genocide” in Darfur is an insult to the Darfuri people.It is difficult to destroy a village a second time.A village that has already been burned to the ground and water wells stuffed with murdered Darfuris to insure the survivors won’t return.
Death by starvation and removing the humanitarian aid agencies that provided clean water and medical assistance is no less an effective means to exterminate the Darfuris.
The government of Sudan began expelling humanitarian aid agencies from Darfur March 4, 2009, immediately following the International Criminal Court charging President A-Bashir with many counts, including “crimes against humanity”.
It is easy for the world to dismiss this story because there is scarce media attention.
But it is still systematic and death by intention to do away with a targeted people.How we moralize it into being acceptable is simple.
Primarily, nations who could do something, ignore it.And if there aren’t enough standing up and saying clearly and persistently “Genocide Will Stop With Us”, then genocide will go on.And so it does.
In my volunteer work with others in the 50 United States – including the Sudan Sham campaign, I have gotten to know three Darfuri of the DiASpora community living in the USA.I exchange thoughts through emails with Mohamed Suleiman, Mohamed Yahya and Bakheit Shata. I asked them what they thought I should say today to you and I received their emails yesterday.
Mohamed Suleiman has a blog where he updates information before official news outlets have it and sometimes never post it. Mohamed has daily contacts inside Sudan.
Genocide articles don’t sell much copy. In reality, a certain golf pro (Tiger Woods) defeats Darfur for winning space in a newspaper and on your nightly news stations.
Mohamed Suleiman said
1- Needed first is Justice, then a safe environment without harm, followed with peace for the people of Darfur.
2- The sham elections in Sudan will serve only to legitimize the rule of al-Bashir, the indicted war criminal.
Mohamed’s 2nd point has been underscored by many human rights groups around the world.
3- Obama's Administration should be on the side of the victims, not the perpetrators.
The Obama administration, led by Scott Gration has cozied up to al-Bashir, to the detriment of the Darfuri people.
When you are already feeling broken, vulnerable and forgotten by the world in your need for hope, seeing the President of the USA pick a man that sides with the perpetrators of genocide, would naturally lead you to lose trust that the USA is a reliable resource to the road back to a peaceful village.
4 – Humanitarian Aid restored to pre March 4, 2009 levels
“After the arrest warrant for al-Bashir was announcedon March 4, 2009, 13 humanitarian aid agencies’ expulsions began.Still today, humanitarian aid is not at the level before the expulsions.”
Most of the aid agencies that were thrown out last year by President al-Bashir were working quietly to support survivors of sexual violence and to protect thousands of women and girls from rape. One of the principal tools of war in Darfur has been systematic rape, a factor in any argument supporting the existence of genocidal intent. By removing most of the groups that were protecting or caring for rape survivors, a cover up is on.
It would be natural to think that all Sudanese would welcome having its first national election in 24 years after al-Bashir assumed the role for 21 years.
This was supposed to be an exciting time for Sudan, but it is not by Darfuris for sure.
The preoccupation of al-Bashir’s Party (NCP) has been to win the election now taking place.
1) In total Control
2) Manipulated voter registration
3 )Drafted the election laws in its favour
4) Gerrymandered electoral districts
5) co-opted traditional leaders and paid people to vote for them.
This is true all over Sudan, but especially in Darfur, where it has had freedom to carry out its strategy, since that is the only region still under emergency rule.
One indication of the NCP's long-term plans to rig the elections was the management of the 2008 census.
The flawed results were then used to draw electoral districts,
apportion seats in the national and state legislatures and organise the voter registration drive.
Census takers – aided by NCP party – expended great efforts to count those who support the current regime. They also reportedly counted newcomers from Chad and Niger, who had settled in areas originally inhabited by persons displaced in the Darfur conflict, and issued them identity papers so they can vote as Sudanese citizens.
However, most of the estimated 2.6 million internally displaced (IDPs) living in camps, as well as people from The result is an almost certain victory for the NCP and Omar al-Bashir.
And the consequences for Darfur are catastrophic.
Disenfranchising large numbers of people will only further
marginalise them and complicate an already complicated huge problem.
Since the vote will impose illegitimate officials through rigged polls, they will be left with little or no hope of a peaceful change in the status quo, and many can be expected to look to rebel groups to fight and win back their lost rights and lands.
Ideally, elections would be held after a peace deal has been negotiated and the problems with the census, voter registration and demarcation of electoral districts resolved.
The NCP is desperate to legitimize President Omar al-Bashir,especially because he has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.
And there are fears that any delay may risk jeopardising the southern Sudan’s referendum scheduled for January 2011 to vote to become a separate country.
On top of all this
Candidates were blocked from campaigning freely, detained, and threatened.
The major party that represents southern Sudan’s candidate withdrew from the presidential race last week – (Yasser Arman, of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- SPLM)
and the party announced its will boycott the parliamentary races in Darfur, as well.
Fraud, Unresolved, Unfair, Unfree
They cited alleged fraud, the unresolved crisis in Darfur, and unfair and unfree conditions as reasons for withdrawing.
Many northern party candidates have also voluntarily withdrawn from the presidential race. The Umma party has withdrawn from all races.
At this point the presidential race is virtually uncontested.
Monitors Withdrew
The European Union has withdrawn their election monitors from Darfur citing insecurity and lack of access.
Observers and monitors have been threatened and intimidated by al-Bashir.
Cut fingers off
Al-Bashir responded to a comment re a potential slight delay in elections with the statement:“if they interfere in our affairs, we will cut their fingers off, put them under our shoes, and throw them out."
President Jimmy Carter arrived in Sudan last Thursday to lead the Carter Center’s monitoring mission.
Gration said that Sudan had “given him confidence that the elections … would be as free and as fair as possible,” adding that they “have gone to great lengths to ensure that the people of Sudan will have access to polling places and that the procedures and processes will ensure transparency.”
Sean Brooks of SDC – recent 4 week trip to Sudan
Sean Brooks of SDC said: Gration’s optimism is baffling. After recently visiting Khartoum, the southern part of the country, and Darfur, Brooks stated
“There is no chance that these elections will be even remotely free or fair.
The government has been harassing its opponents for months.”
BBC: stated: “Sudan's elections risk going down in the history books for all the wrong reasons.”
My friend Mohamed Yahya, said,
"Sudan should be ready for war. The government has torn life apart. There is no one to help the Darfuri people
* with 6,000 villages, of which 90% aredestroyed
* thousands of women and girls identity destroyed
** I lost 21 relatives in one day.
** There are 1000s of people like me. How do I forget?
They will never change, this is unjustified and deliberate.
It will continue, if al-Bashir is not stopped.
There is a clear divide between what the Sudanese people are saying and what Gration is promoting.”
Last night from a fellow activist, I received an email with these words written by a young Darfuri woman who still lives in Sudan:
"It does feel good though, that there are people like you concerned about what's going on here, I do believe some day he will fall, people here are powerless, even authorities of power, I mean this President is making it impossible for almost everyone. Thanks - it's your words that are a highlight in days full of darkness."Fatimah Ismail
I receive these same kind of comments from the Darfuris living in this country.They are so grateful for any support we give them.
"Our Lives Begin to End The Day We Become Silent About Things That Matter." Martin Luther King, Jr.
Golden Thread sung by Marguerite Heenehan
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I skipped this page by mistake:
I believe we must make decisions based on moral principles.
Unfortunately too many politicians won’t do that, unless we make it clear
that is what must be done.
That is evident because of every genocide that has come and gone.
What human behavior will we condemn – if not genocide?
We step up when there are disasters caused by weather, such as in Haiti,
but where are the multitude of news reports and TV shows,
asking us to support the end of genocide, a disaster of our human race’s making?
Where there is a will there is always a way
and where there is no will there is never a way.
Political will won’t just happen.That is transparently clear.
We could find ways to stop genocide, if we wanted.
Our politicians get away with doing nothing because they believe it will cost them nothing to do nothing.
But we do have some brave ones who have stepped to the plate, but they need also to hear from us.
When I have lobbied US RI Senators and Representatives about Darfur, I have been told that they need to know we are behind them when they do step forward.
Stopping genocide is a choice – and we choose, even if we do nothing.
So, I ask you to do something.This week.
end of the page I skipped
TAKE ACTION
Suggestions:
1 Sign the petition
2 Make calls or email
US officials
President, Secretary of State, Senators Reed, Whitehouse, Reps Kennedy and Langevin
1-800-GENOCIDE
President Obama and VP President Biden
202-456-1111
email: whitehouse.gov
on right hand side is Contact
Encourage them to ensure that the Sudanese elections do not legitimize a genocidal, corrupt government and instead reflect the true will of the Sudanese people.
3 Get involved locally. I am willing to keep up the good fight. But, I need help.
Provide your name, email and or phone number if you will help in some way
Just like our leaders, it helps to have support.
Mohamed Yahya has offered to come and speak to us.So when he does, come and listen.
If you know a school or church group, who would like me to come and speak, ask.
I encourage you to go to our new website: ionsudan.net
reporting news on the ground in Sudan and giving actions you cantake that are up-to-date.
4 Donate - If you want to make a tax-deductible donation to the effort:
Thank you for your letter urging action to end the genocide in Darfur. I share your outrage over the hundreds of thousands of lives lost, and the suffering of millions more. It has gone on for far too long. Bringing relief to the battered region of Darfur is a top priority for my Administration.
So help me hold him to this commitment.So far, his man Gration has not.
I am waiting to see the legacy about genocide and in particular Darfur and Sudan of this administration.
If you want peace, work for justice
إذا كنت تريد السلام ، أعمل من أجل العدالة
Our being silent is used as a tool in the arsenal of Bashir.
But we gather here to say with our presence
Genocide is Not Okay with Us.
Genocide in our time
MUST Be Noticed,
Genocide in our time is
worthy of being reported by our media,
worthy of having the leaders
of free nations use their political will
to end the Darfur genocide
And actually put some meaning to the words
Never Again
Words we love to use
At the languishing end of each genocide that this planet has hosted.
A Moral Nation Needs to Stand Up for Right
Genocide flourishes when there is no accountability.
We have been called to be human in the most basic way on this subject.
I am one person, but I am on a mission. Genocide vs. the human right to live…out … a normal existence -a passion for me.
How long will we allow ourselves, our nations, our will, to be defined by the tolerance, acceptance of genocide?Our leaders have certainly shown that it doesn’t matter, whether Republican or Democrat, the political will needs us to make the difference.
So, let’s be the difference.
Let’s do something that will bring peace to our pillow – knowing we have done our part.
Thank you on behalf of the voiceless Darfuris and all marginalized Sudanese.
We are a symbol of what is right about humans being human.
Let your light shine.
Photos taken by Krista Powell
April 11, 2010
Newport, Rhode Island
Our route:
Touro Park
Pelham Street
Bellevue Aveune
Memorial Boulevard
Americas Cup Avenue
Thames Street
Touro Street
Washington Square
Eisenhower Park
when-humans-humanity-is-indifferent
Soapbox The media has been missing an opportunity and responsibility to report on this story.It seems the US media would rather obsess on Sarah Palin, The Tea Party and Tiger Woods – the “soup de jour”.There is always some story that the US media obsesses over until they latch onto some other story to go on and on about.All while ignoring real stories that direly need them to report them.It is no longer news, it is entertainment.And it isn’t even good “entertainment” value.They should live that up to artists, actors and writers and report stories of importance.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
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Spain Time
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Melbourne Time
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Hawaii Time
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
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Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
