YOUR GLOW ♫ A TRIBUTE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY SANDY HOOK MASSACRE

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

Thursday, January 3rd, 2013, the bus drivers, the surviving Sandy Hook Elementary School children and staff went back to another building to resume their school year.
 

The song ~ Your Glow ~ is a tribute for those affected by Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre. I wrote the music December 14 on the day it happened. I wrote lyrics to the music later on December 26 & 27. Yesterday, I used Garage Band to improvise a flute and bass part along with the keyboard. It is not a polished version, only put together in a few hours.

Your Glow

 by Sandra Hammel

Verse 1

Breath is no more, your bright light shines on.
Oh the pain seeps so deep, grace come to me to free.

Oh our hearts entwined for eternity,
Oh touch me now…fly……
Oh, angel.
Love never die

Surround me now, for now, I hold you sweetly within, lighting up my way.
Going on for you.

I lift my eyes to you,
Wanting all the world to see your star.

Verse 2

Breathe life in me, oh, bright star that shines on.
Where to go when overcome, estranged from peace and calm.

Oh our hearts entwined for eternity,
Oh touch me now…fly……
Oh, angel.
Love live on.

Surround me now, for now, I hold you sweetly within, lighting up my way.
You left behind your glow.

I lift my eyes for you,
Knowing your tender soul remains in mine.

 ♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

When I was still teaching in the schools, I taught 5 to 10 year olds.  I was the music teacher.  So, when I picture these children and the staff, I can picture it in my mind very personally.  I think it is the wrong thing to do to arm teachers. I wrote about it here.

The second amendment has outlived its relevancy.  When it was written, guns had a single bullet capacity and it took considerable time to reload it.

 Pictures from my music class and outdoor concerts

at Hathaway Elementary School

Portsmouth, Rhode Island 

 

BIGOTS GUILTY OF LIMITED AND LIMITING "KNOWLEDGE"

Updated, Saturday, May 19, 12:42 a.m.

Definition: Limiting: Any process by which a specified characteristic of the output of a device is prevented from exceeding a predetermined value.

I saw PBS' Independent Lens show entitled Precious Knowledge on TV today.  And just when I read the text that follows, which is included in the show: "While 48 percent of Mexican American students currently drop out of high school, Tucson High’s Mexican American Studies Program has become a national model of educational success, with 93 percent of enrolled students, on average, graduating from high school, and 85 percent going on to attend college,"- the show then went into an unbelievable direction.  That direction was how people, how politicians  in the USA state of Arizona outlawed this educational course.

The program taught Mexican and American history, as well as Central and South American literature and culture.

Ignorance.  Fear.  Unaware of racist thinking.  This is what I see when I hear those who disapprove of this wonderfully successful educational course of study of a culture.  But what I understand as blatant racists and racism as in this case, the racists are clueless to their bigoted thinking.  Which if it didn't harm others, would be okay.  But it isn't harmless.  It is harmful.

These courses didn't teach racism. Denying the right to teach them is racism.

For years, our educational systems have taught white history is the only history.  Disregarding the history, for example of the native, indigenous peoples who were here before the European immigrants came here and then "dominated" over the indigenous peoples.  So when the politician is saying there are "other ways" in the first video below, he means that the white way is THE way.  And OTHER ways must be denied.  Outlawed.  Just like we did to the native indigenous people, denying them their own cultures, their hair style, their native language use, their children living with their families and being sent off to boarding schools to learn the white man's ways in order to assimilate.  Which is just another way to end, exterminate a culture, a history of a people.  Only people who feel weak, mandate others to absorb their ways as their own and give up their own ways.

• Watch online at PBS Video

 Below is from this link ~

Independent Lens - Precious Knowledge

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Watch The Case Against Ethnic Studies on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

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• Watch online at PBS Video

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Watch Closing the Achievement Gap in Tucson Schools on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

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• Watch online at PBS Video

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Watch Planting the Seeds for Precious Knowledge on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

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Watch online at PBS Video
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Watch Ethnic Chauvinism or Modern Civil Rights Struggle? on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

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Independent Lens TV Schedule

Watch online at PBS Video

• Filmmaker website

About the Film

Precious Knowledge portrays the one of the final years of the highly successful but controversial Mexican American Studies Program at Tucson High School.

The program was a national model of educational success — 93 percent of its enrolled students graduating from high school and 85 percent going on to attend college, bucking a statewide trend that saw only 48 percent of Latino students graduating at all. The program taught Mexican and American history, as well as Central and South American literature and culture.

But the political tide shifted in Arizona in the 2000s. The state passed extremely controversial immigration laws, which some civil libertarians equated to racial profiling. Legislative sessions in the state became heated and rife with recriminations. And when lawmakers turned their attention to Tucson High’s ethnic studies program, it became a lightning rod in the public conversation about race. Opponents of the program launched a campaign to convince the public that ethnic studies teach everything from communism to terrorism to “reverse racism.”
Students and their teachers fight hard to preserve their program, marching to the statehouse, holding vigils, and testifying before lawmakers. They invite their legislators to visit their classrooms, and all but one refuse. When he does visit, he criticizes the poster of Che Guevara on the wall, and suggests that a poster of Benjamin Franklin would be more appropriate.
At the center of the debate was Paulo Freire’s textbook, The Pedagogy of the Oppressed, which the school’s instructors used for the ethnic studies classes. The book is a famous example of critical race theory, which looks at and acknowledges the influence of institutional racism in America on non-dominant groups. The theory has been criticized as Marxist.
In 2011 Arizona lawmakers passed a bill giving unilateral power to the state superintendent of schools to abolish ethnic studies classes. The fight to restore ethnic studies continues in Arizona and in other states, as education continues to adapt to a changing population.

The Filmmakers

Ari Luis Palos and Eren Isabel McGinnis of Dos Vatos Productions began working together in the green tobacco fields of Kentucky during the production of POV’s Tobacco Blues. While living in Oaxaca, México, they selected the work of virtuoso guitarists and chanteuse Lila Downs for the soundtrack of their Global Voices and True Stories PBS series hit show Beyond the Border. Developing their continued interest in documenting civil rights battles, they recorded the voices of some of the finest opera singers in the world while creating The Spirituals.

End of this copied and pasted posted article.

Gov. Brewer signs bill that will allow students to attend private schools on public funds

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 Below is from this link ~
Precious Knowledge - Education in Arizona - PBS' Independent Lens

 Independent Lens: Precious Knowledge

Credit: Courtesy of Ari Palos

Above: Crystal leads demonstrations to save the ethnic studies classes in front of Tucson High.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

By

"Precious Knowledge" reports from the frontlines of one of the most contentious battles in public education in recent memory, the fight over Mexican American studies programs in Arizona public schools. The film interweaves the stories of several students enrolled in the Mexican American Studies Program at Tucson High School with interviews with teachers, parents, school officials, and the lawmakers who wish to outlaw the classes.

Enlarge this image

Credit: Courtesy of Diane Ovalle

Above: Students and community members participate in a traditional ceremonial run from Tucson to Phoenix.

Enlarge this image

Credit: Courtesy of Ari Palos

Above: Mexican American/Raza studies student Mariah at an immigrants rights rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

A film by Tucson-based filmmakers Ari Luis Palos and Eren Isabel McGinnis, "Precious Knowledge" will premiere on the Emmy® Award-winning PBS series INDEPENDENT LENS, hosted by Mary-Louise Parker.

While 48 percent of Mexican American students currently drop out of high school, Tucson High’s Mexican American Studies Program has become a national model of educational success, with 93 percent of enrolled students, on average, graduating from high school, and 85 percent going on to attend college.

The filmmakers spent an entire year in the classroom filming this innovative curriculum, documenting the transformative impact on students who became engaged, informed, and active in their communities.

As the nation turns its focus toward a wave of anti-immigration legislation in Arizona, the issue of ethnic chauvinism becomes a double-edged weapon in a simmering battle, making front page news coast to coast.

Enlarge this image

Credit: Courtesy of Ari Palos

Above: Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne calls for the banning of ethnic studies classes in Tucson.

Talkback

Do you think that teaching the history of specific ethnicities promotes a sense among students of their own ethnic superiority? Do you think it is important to dedicate class time to the history of minority groups? Share your thoughts

When Arizona lawmakers pass a bill giving unilateral power to the State Superintendent to abolish ethnic studies classes, teachers and student leaders fight to save the program using texts, Facebook, optimism and a megaphone.

Lawmakers and politicians respond with a public relations campaign to discredit the students, claiming that a textbook used in the classes, Paulo Freire’s "The Pedagogy of the Oppressed" teaches victimization and sedition. Officials ask that the classroom’s Che Guevara posters be replaced with portraits of founding father Benjamin Franklin.

Meanwhile, the students answer back by fighting for what they believe is the future of public education for the entire nation, especially as the Latino demographic continues to grow.
Independent Lens is on Facebook, and you can follow @IndependentLens on Twitter.'

End of this copied and pasted posted article.

Gov. Brewer signs bill that will allow students to attend private schools on public funds

GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM IN SUDAN GETS YOU BEATEN AND ARRESTED - JUSTICE WORTH IT FOR THEM

Girifna By Mao أغنية قرفنا للفنان ماو

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Girifna By Mao
Mixed by Kino Music: Gully Slime Riddim
Uploaded by aymanmao

Girifna is a grassroots activists group in Sudan - standing up for justice in a country that doesn't allow such things.

Click post title to go to Girifna website

And become a fan at Facebook

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Observer Missions Must stop Lending their Credibility to Sudan’s Elections

Source: http://www.girifna.com/?p=1368

Posted on April 8 2010 by sunflower

Statement No (2) by Sudan Democracy First Group

April 6, 2010, (Khartoum/Juba)

International elections observer missions should immediately pull out of Sudan. These groups appear to no longer be able to fulfill their mandate and serve only to legitimize a deeply-flawed elections process.

International observer missions have so far been subject to severe government intimidation. The Sudanese government harshly criticized the Carter Center after publication of its report on March 17, 2010 which detailed significant violations in the elections process throughout all stages including fraud and repression of speech and other freedoms. The report also described the uneven playing field for political parties and unequal access to media suggesting technical advises to enable National Election Commission (NEC) to handle the electoral process. Since then the Sudanese government has on multiple occasions threatened all international observer groups more broadly. On March 22 President Omar al Bashir publicly threatened to cut off the noses and fingers of internationals who “intervene in internal affairs” and endorsed any delay of elections. He repeated this threat on April 5 in Jazeera State. Threats to international actors who intervene to oppose any postponement of the poll—such as for example, the United States Special Envoy— are conspicuously absent.

Rather than publicly disclose the extent of the program of harassment and intimidation that has accompanied these public threats of violence by the President and his aides, international observer missions have been cowed into silence or inside doors in bilateral discussion with the same NCP. They have not spoken out about the harassment and intimidation they are suffering—including the arrest and interrogation of their local staff and unlawful search of private homes— expulsion of one of their international staff and other obstacles to their operations such as, denial of visas and bureaucratic obstacles to deployment. Some reports even suggest that the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), which spearheaded the expulsion of humanitarian organizations last year is ready to step in this campaign of harassment against both national and international NGOs involved in elections observation activities.

The threats and harassment suffered by international observer missions have undermined their ability to honestly report on the continued violations—in effect to carry out their basic missions. The Carter Center and the European Mission, for example, have already made it clear in different conversations that they will not release any statements until after the elections are over. Ironically, a senior NCP officer told journalists that they will not hear from election observers before the results of the elections. Furthermore, Khartoum press quoted the Deputy NEC Chairperson that they agreed with Carter Center not to issue such reports that harm the electoral process. Absent capacity to acknowledge the current environment of threats and intimidation being faced by those who voice concerns about election process violations, the continued presence of international elections observers in Sudan does not serve the function intended, that of observing and analyzing the electoral process and contributing to improvements through constructive engagement with the authorities. This inability also renders naught the public guardianship role which is envisaged for international and domestic observers in how their mandate is described in the National Electoral Act. Further, the President’s violent threats to those international observers who express reservations about the process de facto violate the memoranda of understanding and other bilateral accords which are the basis upon which international missions have been permitted to access the territory and, in return, to exercise the mandate given to them by their relevant inter-governmental or non-governmental controlling organs.

This silent acquiescence by international observer missions in the face of increasing repression also undermines the attempts of local domestic observers to monitor the process. Today, for example, a number of local organisations, all of which have been internationally recognized as independent civil society experts, were summarily informed they would not be permitted to participate as election monitors by the NEC. The NEC refused to provide either a copy of this determination in writing or reasons for the decision. The silence is contributing to the climate of fear and insecurity which is unfolding around the elections, adding to both the apprehension and probability of violence and greater repression.

To date, there are a large number of observer missions in Sudan: The Carter Center, European Union, African Union, IGAD countries, Arab League, Great Lakes group and individual country missions such as Egypt and Japan. Except for The Carter Center, all of these missions arrived only recently, and were not on the ground to witness the majority of the rigging and fraud and other violations that have been documented by The Carter Center and other international groups including the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and Save Darfur. The utility of these short term observers is highly dubious in the context of an election process which has been determined by many of the main opposition parties to be so fundamentally flawed that they have withdrawn their candidates or are urgently seeking a postponement of the vote. Indeed, many Sudanese are questioning the role of some regional groups as being solely supporting the perpetuation of status quo.

In this environment, the presence of international observers appears to serve only one interest — the political interest of the ruling National Congress Party. By remaining as a part of the process, these missions lend the appearance of legitimacy to what has been proven to be a deeply flawed elections process and the presumed re-election of a man who is internationally wanted for war crimes in a vote that is neither free nor fair. As tense political dynamics unfold and possibly turn violent in coming weeks, loud and forceful comment is needed. Unless there is a change in the will and capacity of international observer missions the record shows that their fearful silence will in effect render them complicit in what unfolds. If they cannot challenge threats to the integrity and safety of their own missions and personnel what kind of defense of the rights to democratic participation of the people of Sudan can be expected? International election observer missions must stop lending their credibility to this process.

Sudan Democracy First Group is:

A coalition of democrats and for Sudan activists, trade unionists and academics men and women representing Sudan different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The main agenda of the initiative is to voice the concerns of the voiceless Sudanese people across the country in the current critical moment the country is going through. The initiative is connected to other initiatives formed by Sudanese people in different centers across Sudan.

For contact: mubadra4democracy@gmail.com

GRASSROOTS INDIVIDUALS COMING TOGETHER ACROSS THE USA FOR A CAUSE MOSTLY IGNORED BY THE MEDIA

Since 2004, I have been a volunteer community leader activist regarding ending and preventing genocide. This post is what I am doing currently.

This past Saturday we kicked off our 50 Days, 50 Actions - Sudan Sham 2010 campaign. This Thursday, February 25, is our day in Rhode Island.

If you know anyone, willing to take five minutes during the days running up to the Sudan election in April, who would join in and act, please have them visit our website to see what each of the 50 states is doing: Sudan Sham 2010 This is an important effort to show our support to the Sudanese people. This election is a sham and our elected officials should not support it.

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Sudan Sham 2010 campaign ACTIONS FOR RHODE ISLAND

1. Contact your US Rhode Island Representative:

To find your US RI Representative type in your zip code in upper left search box.

Call 401-732-9400 or E-mail
Rep James Langevin - Darfur grade: A+
Message:

The Obama’s Sudan Policy’s quarterly review just happened. We should be able to see some actions, as a result of the quarterly review. Sudan has clearly violated benchmarks, and Obama’s policy promised consequences if and when this happens. Representative, James Langevin, as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, should hold a hearing about the Sudan Policy quarterly review. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence members should ask about the specific benchmarks, pressures and incentives in the policy, keeping our administration relevant and honest. As well as, proof of the “unstinting resolve” that Mr. Obama promised regarding Darfur.

Tweet this button to read: @JimLangevin Call for a Intelligence Committee special hearing re: #Sudan policy review and demand pressures and consequences #SudanSham

Call 401-729-5600 or Email
Rep Patrick Kennedy - Darfur grade: A

Message:
Sudan’s first multi-party election in 24 years is scheduled for April 2010. For too long, a military dictatorship has monopolized power and wealth in Sudan, committing genocide in Darfur and violently oppressing the rest of the country. The corrupt regime in Khartoum has at every turn blocked political reforms necessary for free and fair elections to take place. The government of Sudan's increased intimidation by kidnapping and killing citizens during the time running up to the election is proof this election is a sham. The election will only be used to legitimize this genocidal regime led by the man indicted by the ICC for “crimes against humanity” and “war crimes”, President Omar al-Bashir. The U.S. government should not spend any further funding or extend any support to these non-credible elections.

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Contact your US Rhode Island Senators:

2. Call 401-453-5294 or Email

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse - Darfur grade: A

Message:
I would like to thank Senator Whitehouse for his continued efforts for Darfur and Sudan. The Sudan Policy’s quarterly review just happened. Sudan has clearly violated benchmarks, and Obama’s policy promised consequences and pressures if and when this happens. Senator Whitehouse, as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, should hold a hearing about the Sudan Policy quarterly review. The Senate Intelligence Committee members should ask about the specific benchmarks, pressures, and incentives in the policy, holding our administration to their word of “unstinting resolve”.

3. Call 401-943-3100 or E-mail

Senator Jack Reed - Darfur grade: B

Message:

I would like to thank Senator Reed for his support of basic human rights, including justice on behalf of the Darfuri people. I would like him to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 404, which supports full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and other efforts to promote peace and stability in Sudan. Additionally, Sudan’s first multi-party election in 24 years is scheduled for April 2010. The corrupt regime in Khartoum has at every turn blocked political reforms necessary for free and fair elections to take place. The government of Sudan's increased intimidation by kidnapping and killing citizens during the time running up to the election is proof this election is a sham. We urge Senator Reed to join us in contacting President Obama and tell him the US must not support the upcoming elections in any way.

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Optional extra action:

4. Call President Barack Obama between 9am - 5pm EST at 202-456-1111
or email him http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Message:
"U.S. Special Envoy Scott Gration is no longer effective in his position. With respect, I ask for diplomatic involvement with Sudan to be transferred to the State Department, who can work with unstinting resolve, while maintaining the people's respect that have been victims far too long of those committing crimes with impunity within the government of Sudan."

Sandra Hammel

Use Your Voice to Stop Genocide RI

Also - as we are in this together - let us support each other across organizations and across generations:

Here is the page of action at Save Darfur's website:
action.savedarfur.org/campaign/sudanelections

Save Darfur Sudan Elections page for events

Postcard Campaign Save Darfur's Sudan Election Ballot

My event Save Darfur page:

Thank you for your consideration.

Sandra Hammel

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

GENOCIDE WILL only STOP WITH US
Our leaders have taught us this

Won't you please consider joining me in lighting a candle for the Darfuris at
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Darfr


"The Most Important Office is That of Private Citizen" Louis D. Brandeis

WHERE IS THIS MAN?
"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 and as President of the United States I don't intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter.” BARACK OBAMA

Same things - Different Administration

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If you click the post title, you will go to one of my most visited blog posts.

WHAT IS AN ELECTION WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL FREE TO SPEAK?

WE ARE A MOVEMENT, NOT AN ORGANIZATION

Tomorrow, we begin our 50 State, 50 Actions campaign running up to the Sudan April Election

I am state leader for Rhode Island and our February 25, 2010, Day 6 of the campaign is our day.

If anyone wants to join any state in our efforts, you may contact me or go to www.sudansham2010.org


PRESS RELEASE - February 19, 2010

ACTIVISTS NATIONWIDE CALL ON US GOVERNMENT TO WITHHOLD SUPPORT FOR SHAM SUDANESE ELECTIONS
They call for full diplomatic pressure towards peace, protection and justice

CITIES NATIONWIDE—February 19, 2010—Activists nationwide call for the withholding of US support for illegitimate Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 11, 2010. The Sudan Sham Elections 2010 campaign begins February 20th. For the 50 days leading up to the Sudanese elections, ordinary citizens in every state are taking targeted and effective action to ensure the US government will not legitimize sham elections in Sudan. Although the Obama administration came out with strong words when presenting its Sudan policy in October 2009, there has been no visible positive change on the ground.

The fifty states will tag-team, each participating in a day of action, advocating for a new direction in US policy.

“How can it make sense.” asks Gabriel Stauring Director of Stop Genocide Now, a group that seeks to change the way the world responds to genocide. “You have an indicted war criminal, Omar al-Bashir, as the candidate. The candidate and current president of Sudan, a post he attained through military coup, and his government is responsible for millions of deaths across Sudan. They control the elections, and they continue to terrorize Sudanese citizens in the days leading up to this sham. We, as Americans, cannot legitimize al-Bashir in any way.”

Tzivia Schwartz Getzug, Executive Director of Jewish World Watch, states, “Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 2010, will be anything but free and fair. The electoral reforms laid out by Sudan's 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement - necessary for a credible election - have been delayed, obstructed and outright violated by the Sudanese government. With instability continuing in Darfur and violence mounting in the South, fraudulent elections in April could be a dangerous flashpoint for Sudan. The US should not legitimize non-credible elections in Sudan.”

"The elections will not be fair and free. They will be a sham,” states Mohamed Suleiman—a Darfuri leader living in the US (with many family members and friends living in displacement and refugee camps), in support of the campaign. “Omar al-Bashir took control of Sudan 20 years ago by military coup and has brutally ruled the country since. There is no freedom of movement, let alone freedom of expression or freedom to organize. Darfur is a war torn region where many previously vibrant and bustling villages now lay in ashes."

A.J. Fay an activist leader, and Co-founder of the Idaho Darfur Coalition, invites other US citizens to join Sudan Sham Elections 2010. “Sudan is on the brink,” he says. “We could see violence that rivals only Sudan’s own brutal past. As citizens of the world, we must stand with others in danger. Our own government must stand on the side of principle and press for peace in Sudan, now.”

For information on how to participate, visit www.sudansham2010.org

ABOUT SUDAN SHAM 2010

Sudan Sham 2010 is a coordinated effort of regular citizens across all 50 states and DC who stand with the people of Sudan—the marginalized, the disenfranchised, and the brutally oppressed—in demanding free and fair elections. In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. US support gives the government of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve. It is a waste of American taxpayer money, and non-credible elections will fuel violence and divisions in a country that is already on the brink.

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50 STATES, 50 ACTIONS - STANDING WITH THE MARGINALIZED, OPPRESSED SUDANESE - WHERE IS U.S. GOVERNMENT STANDING?

Rhode Island's day of the 50 states actions running up to the Sudan Election in April is February 25, 2010. If you want to find your state's day and action regarding the sham of an election in Sudan, check out our grassroots website:
sudansham2010.org

I will be posting our actions February 23rd here at this blog.

About Sudan Sham Elections 2010 Campaign

We are regular citizens around the 50 United States and DC, standing with the people of Sudan—the marginalized, the disenfranchised, and the brutally oppressed—in demanding truth and strength. An indicted war criminal, responsible for millions of deaths, will never be a legitimate leader. Peace, protection, and justice will come from strength in effort and conviction from our leaders.


Sudan's April Elections will be neither free nor fair

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The petition text:

Greetings,

Sen. Harry Reid
Sen. John Ensign
Rep. Shelley Berkley
Rep. Dean Heller
Rep. Dina Titus

We, the undersigned people, would first like to thank you all for your voiced commitment and action to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur and establish a peaceful and safe Sudan.

It has been a year since we all heard President Obama refer to the conflict in Darfur as “a stain on our souls” but to date that problem still exist. Our administration promised tough action to ensure a peaceful Darfur and overall Sudan but to date it appears more likely they will lift sanctions and offer them debt relief than deliver on that promise. To date it appears our administration is more ready to recognize and legitimize Sudanese President al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) in the upcoming Sudan elections in April, than to take the measures necessary to ensure peace and justice for the millions who continue to suffer in Sudan. We, the undersigned, find this absolutely unacceptable and are counting on you all and your combined leadership to act on this issue.

Despite news reports that consider the situation in Darfur improving, the reality on the ground in Sudan speaks in starkly different terms. The dangerous status quo in Darfur remains unchanged in some key aspects: millions of people are left in squalid camps, unable to return home because government-supported militias occupy their land and make travel very dangerous. Women face high levels of sexual violence in Darfur, aid is erratic, and progress in the Darfur peace process remains painfully limited. Sudanese airplanes continue their attacks, Janjaweed still raid Darfuri civilians, and the fighting between rebel and government forces rages on.

More broadly, the April national election in Sudan – an election for which the Unites States has provided tens of millions of dollars in technical assistance – is in the process of being stolen by an indicted war criminal who will use the ballot to “legitimize” his rule. The conditions to make the national election free and fair simply do not exist, and will not exist, by April, and there may well be sharp questions as to why the United States heavily bankrolled an election so obviously flawed.

Most urgently and ominously, there are abundant indicators that Sudan is on a dangerous road back to full-scale North-South war as violence increases and key elements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have been left completely unimplemented. The international community’s position toward Sudan at this vital time reflects neither consensus nor coherence. Officials from both North and South speak of not wanting war, but are intensively preparing for it. Local clashes in South Sudan are escalating, against a historical backdrop of extensive support to southern Sudanese militias by the ruling party in Khartoum designed to undermine southern unity. The heavy lift of diplomacy needed to assure that Sudan’s referendum is peaceful and well managed simply remains largely undone, with no full-time, on-the-ground diplomatic teams from the U.S. engaging the regional actors on either the North-South issues or the Darfur process.

To prevent a full scale war from erupting in Sudan in the coming year, we ask you to recommend to President Obama a course of action marked by much deeper diplomatic engagement, backed by more assiduous efforts to build a multilateral coalition of counties willing to impose consequences on those undermining the path to peace in Sudan. We urge you to consider and recommend theses three main actions:

1. Please recommend that diplomatic efforts begin immediately in New York and in capitals to pull together a coalition of countries willing to pressure the parties multilaterally to take the steps necessary for peace. Those officials and parties undermining peace should face specific and clear consequences. At this juncture, that would also involve withdrawing further U.S. financial support for the April election, expanding and more effectively implementing the current arms embargo, identifying specific officials who are undermining peace and targeting them with aggressive asset freezes and travel bans, and denying the Khartoum regime any form of multilateral debt relief until peace agreements have been far more effectively implemented.

2. Please recommend that the U.S. immediately deploy a small team of diplomats to be based in Sudan and the surrounding region to work full-time on the peace processes for Darfur and the CPA. The team should include senior diplomats with real experience in peace processes and existing familiarity with Sudan. Trips by the envoy, no matter how frequent, are no substitute for on-the-ground, around-the-clock diplomacy. In fact it is arguable that the conciliatory approach taken by Special Envoy to Sudan Major General Gration toward al-Bashir and the NCP is sending a strong political and moral message to both Sudan and the rest of the world that a government indicted for crimes against humanity is a legitimate, justified administration of a modern day country.

3. We need to see a clear and well-defined US policy towards Sudan and its current government. Since Secretary of State Clinton, Ambassador Susan Rice and Special Envoy General Gration announced this administration’s policy towards Sudan last year, we have not witnessed its palpable or effective implementation. That is why we urge you to publicly and energetically support S Res 404, a bi-partisan resolution promoting full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Sudan. With April elections fast approaching, it is clear that conditions on the ground are neither free nor fair and the implementation of the CPA is absolutely necessary if these elections are to be recognized as legitimate by our administration.

We want to personally thank you for all of the work that you continue to do to advance U.S. national interests and the cause of peace in Sudan, and thank you for your consideration.

Champion Darfur
Corey Dragge, Founder and Carl Wilkens Fellow
Las Vegas, NV

Change the world. It just takes cents
Sara Kornfeld, Founder
Denver, CO

Stop Genocide Now
Gabriel Stauring, Director
Katie-Jay Scott, Director of Community Programming
Redondo Beach, CA

Idaho Darfur Coalition
A.J. Fay, Co-founder
Boise, ID

Fur Solidarity in USA
Dr. Adam Mohamed Ahmed Yahya, President
Richmond, Virginia

New Trier STAND
Lauren Bergelson, President
Winnetka, IL

STAND Juneau
Lauren Tibbitts, President
Juneau, AK

Use Your Voice to Stop Genocide RI
Sandra Hammel, Director
Portsmouth, Rhode Island

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Targeting: Sen. Harry Reid (NV), Sen. John Ensign (NV), Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV-01), see more...Sen. Harry Reid (NV), Sen. John Ensign (NV), Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV-01), Rep. Dean Heller (NV-02) and Rep. Dina Titus (NV-03)

Started by: Corey Dragge

It has been a year since we all heard President Obama refer to the conflict in Darfur as "a stain on our souls" but to date that problem still exist. Our administration promised tough action to ensure a peaceful Darfur and overall Sudan but to date it appears more likely they will lift sanctions and offer them debt relief than deliver on that promise. To date it appears our administration is more ready to recognize and legitimize Sudanese President al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) in the upcoming Sudan elections in April, than to take the measures necessary to ensure peace and justice for the millions who continue to suffer in Sudan. We find this absolutely unacceptable.

In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. US support gives the government of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve.

NOTE: The petition widget can be found in my sidebar, until the petition is ended and no longer collecting signatures.

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The US, through USAID, is providing approximately $70 million in political process support, which will be spent by American NGOs (namely the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute) to conduct voter education and political party training for the opposition parties in North Sudan and for the SPLM and other Southern political parties. This money does not go to the Government of Sudan, nor is it spent on election support. An additional $25 million has been allocated for election technical assistance through another American NGO, IFES, which is providing training and some assistance to the National Electoral Commission and the State Electoral Commissions (both in North and South Sudan), so that they may have a basic level of understanding of how to administer elections, which the US Government and Congressional Appropriators argue will be beneficial to ensuring a credible referendum in January 2011. The United States, however, is not underwriting the elections, either bilaterally or multilaterally.

DISCONNECT BETWEEN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND DARFUR NEEDS

Sudan Activists Call for Special Envoy’s Removal

Posted by Laura Heaton on Feb 18, 2010

In a strongly worded letter to President Obama, a group of grassroots Sudan activists is calling for Major General Scott Gration to be “relieved of his duties” as special envoy to Sudan. While the Enough Project has not called for the special envoy’s removal, it is interesting that frustration with General Gration has reached such a palpable level in some quarters that these groups see him as part of the problem in Sudan. The letter from the activists decries what its authors call an unduly “conciliatory approach” to the ruling National Congress Party in Khartoum by the special envoy.

Some of the concerns also relate to what sounds like a disastrous interaction between General Gration and members of the Darfuri Diaspora during a meeting in Washington. The activists claim that during the session, Gration argued that the Sudanese government did not intend to kill civilians in Darfur and that the hundreds of thousands who died there over the past seven years were largely collateral victims of aerial attacks. The letter notes:

Mr. President, as you know, it is well documented that Janjaweed militia were paid by the Government of Sudan to kill civilians, burn villages and rape women. The Government of Sudan intended to wipe out Darfuris which is why you have rightly called the ongoing crisis genocide. Furthermore, Darfuris state they want nothing more than to return to their villages in safety and begin to rebuild their lives after so many traumatic years in the camps. Their land has been stolen from them and re-occupied. They also believe President Omar-al Bashir, indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Darfuris, is seeking to use the elections--which have no chance of being free or fair--to legitimize his and the NCP’s rule.

Some may say that General Gration is better than no envoy. We disagree based on the lack of trust in General Gration, and therefore, the United States, by the Sudanese; the lack of progress in several items on his agenda; and the severe deterioration of conditions on the ground in both Darfur and Southern Sudan.

The merits of whether Gration should step down aside, what is perhaps most striking is that what should be fairly routine interactions between the special envoy and the Diaspora, Congress, the media and activists continue to generate controversy and genuine unease with the direction of U.S. policy. The fact that no clear statement or new direction appeared after the recent deputies meeting on Sudan only adds to the concerns that the U.S. policy toward Sudan lacks a fundamental coherence.

The full letter signed by 36 grassroots organizations from across the U.S. and their press release is available here. With apparently no prior knowledge of the letter, a State Department press secretary yesterday responded to a question in the press briefing by saying that Secretary Clinton and President Obama have confidence in the envoy and touting the fact that Gration is currently traveling in Sudan and neighboring Chad.

Photo: U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, Maj. General Scott Gration

Source: www.enoughproject.org

DARFURI MATHEMATICS STUDENT of UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM KILLED BY SUDAN'S GOVERNMENT NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY SERVICE (NISS)...

... AND WHY THE USA WON'T CARE

There is a country on planet Earth that has had an ongoing government-supported genocide going on against the people of Darfur in Sudan since 2003. It is 2010, 7 years later, and how many times do you see a story about what is going on in Sudan on your television? And yet, when other disasters go on, such as in Haiti, we hear about it. Additionally, there is useless story after mindless story that is "reported" and regurgitated until boredom sets in, if not swallowed by a hypnotic effect of a story that is over-told. And if the gossip factor of a story can be used to suck us in - it is used. Many of us are apparently willingly absorbing gossip news as distractions from what warrants authentic news attention. There is no story about the story. That media is selling us crap as news much of the time.

The excuses given by my local news TV stations and newspapers as to why they can't/won't include a story about Darfur and related actions by grassroots activists in our local communities is simply that - excuses. Such as: It's not a local story, it's not something our policy allows us to cover, the activists aren't all from the community of the newspaper, the actions we are taking are too far away for their crew to travel to cover the story (40 miles). These are excuses because the "gossip" stories that they do cover as a part of their newscasts often have nothing to do with anyone living in the state we live in - Rhode Island. And they will travel to cover stories that are nothing more than human interest stories, if that definition can be stretched beyond common sense to make it fit human interest stories.

Shame for the media

The media could be moving us from states of inactivity, reaching us in ways, which serve to encourage us to use our abilities to be inspired and inspire. To be more humane humans. To be more caring human beings for our fellow human beings. To lift us up to be our best selves. To aid in our answering a call to manifest the good in our humanity. This has happened with Haiti. The power of TV was evident. You couldn't watch a TV show in the USA without being given information of how you could give to help.

The people behind the media have the power to help shape our lives in fruitful and beneficial, positive ways, make a valuable difference in making life better. And, yet, they don't so very often. Missing the needed target of a planet full of pained humans because of other humans' behavior upon our fellow humans on this relatively small part of the universe. The target of helping pain be diffused. Enabling something that could have some claim to looking like peace on earth.

If the media were doing their jobs admirably, there would be less conflict on the planet because it would be in front of our faces, grab our needed attention, speak to the good within us that too easily lies dormant when not informed about our world. The media has the capacity to be our mirror with integrity built in the stories they tell us. But, the media is missing lifting us out of our "stuck in the mud" entertainment addictions and choosing instead to feed us like we are bottom feeders. Transparently, media moguls have little interest in feeding us as intelligent life forms and I think we as a country are on the down side of being our best. It is a feeling. And is one personal view of what is going on in the United States of America. Mine.

Bec Hamilton sent this information today to activists in the USA:

I know you don’t know the *name. I’m posting this because it is not the kind of thing that generally makes it into the media. But, it matters. And we need to hear about it. So, here is the notification I just received about the killing of *Mohamed Musa Abdella Bahraldien (A friend just spoke by phone to someone within Darfuri community, who says everyone is just very sad.)

When a vocal student can be abducted by Security Services in broad daylight and killed with impunity, why is the language of “free, fair and credible” even entering into the realm of conversation around the upcoming election?

By the way - so much for the “reform” of the National Security Act.

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February 12, 2010

A brave university mathematics student, Mohamed Musa, was found dead yesterday, February 11, 2010.

The murdered student victim of University of Khartoum was very active among Darfuri students. Wednesday, after a university exam, the Sudanese government's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) members, driving a truck, kidnapped him in front of main gate of the Faculty of Education in Omdurman. Following his abduction, he was found dead in an open space in Elneel, a town in Omdurman.

Student's name: Mohamed Musa Abdella Bahraldien

Position: Student, University of Khartoum, Faculty of Education, Mathematics section level 3

Native town: Kabkabi, Northern Darfur State

Source: Abdelrahman Gasim, Darfur Bar Association

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Report from Radio Dabanga: http://radiodabanga.org/?p=9806

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Darfur student tortured and killed in Khartoum

Posted on 12 February 2010

(By Radio Dabanga)

KHARTOUM (12 Feb) – A Darfur student was tortured and found dead yesterday (Thursday, February 11, 2010); in Omdurman. Mohamed Musa from Kabkebiya (North Darfur), studying at Khartoum University, was abducted last Wednesday (February 12, 2010) from the dormitories in Khartoum near the University of Khartoum, where he studies at the Education Faculty. After the mathematics student disappeared in the late afternoon, his colleagues started searching. According to the leader of the Darfur Students Union, Osman al Nijami, the corpse of Mohamed Musa was found yesterday and brought to the Omdurman hospital. This morning the Darfur Students Union will request to release the body and has asked for legal support from the Darfur Bar Association. The killing of the students is one of several incidents in a row. Security organs have recently arrested scores of Darfur students who are protesting exclusion from exams. Demonstrators have been detained without charges.

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Media Contact:

Sandra Hammel

Press Release

Thursday, February 25, 2010

RHODE ISLAND CITIZENS

CALL ON US GOVERNMENT

TO WITHHOLD SUPPORT

FOR SHAM SUDANESE ELECTIONS

WHO: Residents of Rhode Island communities in partnership with Use Your Voice to Stop Genocide RI and Brown University STAND chapter join activists nationwide to call for the withholding of US support for illegitimate Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 11, 2010. Beginning February 20th, for the 50 days leading up to the Sudanese elections, regular citizens in every state are taking targeted and effective action to ensure the US government will not legitimize sham elections in Sudan.

WHAT: Thursday, February 25, 2010 is Rhode Island’s Day of Action! On February 25, activists in Rhode Island are coordinating action calling on Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Representatives Kennedy and Langevin and President Obama to stand with the people of Darfur and demand free and fair elections and to withdraw USA support from the Sudanese Presidential elections due to the present climate of violent political intimidation with millions disenfranchised in refugee camps.

WHEN: Thursday, February 25, 2010

WHY: Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 2010, will be anything but free and fair. The electoral reforms laid out by Sudan's 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement - necessary for a credible election - have been delayed, obstructed and outright violated by the Sudanese government. With instability continuing in Darfur and violence mounting in the South, fraudulent elections in April could be a dangerous flashpoint for Sudan. The US should not legitimize non-credible elections in Sudan.

Visit www.SudanSham2010.org for more information.

ABOUT SUDAN SHAM 2010

Sudan Sham 2010 is a coordinated effort of regular citizens across all 50 states and DC who stand with the people of Sudan—the marginalized, the disenfranchised, and the brutally oppressed—in demanding free and fair elections. In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. US support gives the government of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve. It is a waste of American taxpayer money, and non-credible elections will fuel violence and divisions in a country that is already on the brink.

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Light a candle for Darfur

A Must Read:

While We Wait Sudan

U.S. State Department:

Twitter

Special Envoy Scott Gration as he travels to #Chad and #Sudan
this coming week to meet w/ Sudan's People Liberation Movement and President Bashir.

Contact

The Whitehouse

202-456-1111

More ways to contact the President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address

Phone Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

facebook.com/WhiteHouse

twitter.com/whitehouse

Speak Up

You Have A Voice

standnow.org
www.savedarfur.org

CALL YOUR U.S. SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES and PRESIDENT OBAMA:

1-800-GENOCIDE

Click post title to view

Ingredients of a Genocide

Perpetrators, Unarmed Citizens

and a World That Turns the Other Away

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Previous posts about the genocide on the Native Americans:

genocide-by-united-states-of-america

justice-too-long-delayed-is-justice

One of my most visited posts:

neglected-story-of-discrimination