Darfur activists protest at White House

By James Wright

(May 23, 2009) - More than three dozen “Free Darfur” activists protested at the front gate of the White House on Friday, saying that the Obama administration is not living up to its promise of working to eradicate the genocide taking place in Sudan.

“We are here to tell President Obama to live up to the promises that he made during the election campaign last year,” Musa Tageldin, a leader in the “Free Darfur” movement in Washington, said. “We are asking him to put pressure on the Sudanese government. We want him to implement a no-fly zone over the areas where the genocide is taking place and we want him to pressure the government to allow those humanitarian organizations that have been expelled to come back and help the people of Darfur.”

Earlier in the week, several members of the Congressional Black Caucus launched a fast against the genocide and attempted to put the issue back into the national conversation and in the media. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) was joined in the effort by actress Mia Farrow and social activist Marcia Dyson.

Edwards has committed to fast every Friday until the August recess.

“The Darfur genocide has killed more than 400,000 civilians and displaced 2.5 million people from their homes,” said Edwards. “We ask Obama and his administration to use their political capital to lead a truly international effort, using all carrots and sticks as appropriate and necessary to make progress towards the shared goal of achieving peace for Darfur and all of Sudan.” Read more >>>>>>>>>>>