The ETHIC's Darfur Pledge Campaign (2005-2007)

It is with both sorrow and gratitude that I announce the end of The ETHIC's Darfur Pledge campaign.  Sorrow, because the violence in western Sudan continues -- yet, gratitude for the compassion and commitment each of you extended towards those affected by the tragedy.

With your help, individuals from more than forty countries pledged to contact the White House -- on a daily basis -- until a highly skilled international protection force of at least 44,000 was deployed in Darfur. Sadly, that mission never materialized. Instead, five years into this crisis, the beleaguered African Union monitors, now operating under the auspices of the United Nations, have merely changed the color of their hats from green to blue.

The glimmer of hope that remains for the millions of innocents still at risk in western Sudan likely hinges on our willingness and ability to convey the truth about why this nightmare has been allowed to continue. To that end, I urge you to read the following article:

Darfur Supporters' Actions Looking More Like Collaboration, Willful Neglect

San Francisco Chronicle, 19 August 2007. 

"The best article on Darfur anybody has written in a long time. A superb analysis."

- Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, President of Genocide Watch

...and to take the following actions:

1) Educate yourself regarding the issues raised in the article.

2) Share your findings (as well as those contained in the aforementioned analysis) with as many local/national media outlets as you can -- and urge them to investigate and report on these issues.

3) Inform Darfur advocacy organizations (as opposed to organizations who solely focus on humanitarian aid) that you are withdrawing your participation in and financial support of their campaigns until they demonstrate their commitment to promoting the truth about why the crisis has been allowed to continue.

No social justice movement has ever succeeded without speaking truth to power. And while we cannot bring back those who have lost their lives in Darfur and may not be able to protect those who are still in harm's way, we have an obligation to each of them to ensure that this critical period in human history is written accurately -- and by doing so, lay the foundation necessary to prevent future crimes against humanity.

Thank you again for your participation in and support of The Darfur Pledge campaign. We will continue our work to create a compassionate and just world for all. And, like each of you, we will keep the people of Darfur in our hearts and thoughts, forever.

Peace,

John

John Morlino

Founder of The Essence of True Humanity Is Compassion (The ETHIC)

Director of The ETHIC's Darfur Pledge Campaign (2005-2007)

Links:

Darfur Pledge campaign archive (2005-2007)

John Morlino's seven-part series of articles on Darfur (listed in reverse chronological order):