Darfur Action group on campus takes a STAND. By: Nicole Howard

Students at American University meet to discuss Darfur, Sudan the genocide and how they can come together and take action to stop it. This student group is called Darfur Action and their guest speaker - Erin Mazursky is currently the associate director of standnow and a senior at Georgetown University. The group who brought this presenter to the campus is called Darfur action. http://www.darfuraction.com/

I learned a lot of information about Darfur in general and that the main reason for the conflict is not based solely on race. This ideology was displayed in the mainstream coverage about the genocide especially when it first came to their attention
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Dafur is located in the middle of the Sahara desert so it is far from any source of water. In addition to that desertification [i]and overpopulation are happening as the resources available are diminishing. So, a part of the conflict has to do with the Arabs and ethnic Africans fighting over resources.

Their fighting and conflict can be traced back to when Britain and Egypt took control of Sudan and split Sudan in half. Egypt took the North where Arabs stayed, and Britain took the South. The problem happened in 1953 when they signed an agreement to leave Sudan and let it take control itself. Doing this Britain decided to make Sudan one again no longer having a North and South. (What is the What by Dave Eggers, p. 176-178) After a three year grace period Sudan got its independence in 1956 and the conflict began eventually leading to a civil war. (http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1020687852749)

In the presentation an overview of Darfur was given. (This presentation can be viewed at: http://standnow.org/take_action/education) has a population of about 6 million in an area the size of Texas. Due to the genocide a rough number of about 450,000 are dead due to “violence, famine and disease”. 2.5 million refugees are displaced and about 150 – 300 refugees are staying in Chad. Once rebel groups the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) started movements their government comes up with the janjaweed to fight against them. They are men on horses who are known for killing men, raping women, and burning villages; they are the ones responsible for the genocide. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3496731.stm)

After giving an overview of the history of Darfur, the current conflict, and the actions being taken to resolve it the associate director of Stand gave a presentation on her organization.

STAND – Student Anti Genocide Coalition is a national organization that attempts to change with students who care about not just about fighting genocide in Darfur but genocide in general. It has more than 600 chapters in the nation and internationally.




The director gave ways that we as students can help out.

ORGANIZE: You can start a chapter of STAND at your school, or join one already in existence. http://standnow.org/chapter/new_chapter

ADVOCATE: Check the grade your congressmen received in reference to what they’ve voted for in regards to legislations about Darfur and if it is low call or write to show them the importance of getting a higher grade and how to get there. http://darfurscores.org/reportcards

EDUCATE: Tell friends about the genocide and how they can help. Use the materials available on their website to give presentations. http://standnow.org/take_action/education

DIVEST: http://www.sudandivestment.org/

PUBLICIZE: If you are involved in a chapter get the media to your events. Tips on how to do so are available at: http://standnow.org/take_action/media
[i] Desertification is the loss of plants at a fast rate including topsoil, which results in that area becoming a desert. http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0405068.html

Whether it is through Darfur Action, STAND or any other organization that is working towards ending the genocide in Darfur try to get involved to be apart of the people responsible for change. Even just telling friends about what is happening and how they can help is something.

This event accomplished its goal of informing students about what the genocide and ways to help. For more information about Darfur action visit: http://www.darfuraction.com/ and for information of STAND visit: http://www.standnow.org/