Darfur genocide brings ex-Clinton official to Portland

'Not on our watch' says ex-Clinton official

By Polina Olsen

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Raise your voice and say “Not on Our Watch.” More than 30 organizations joined to bring this message to Portland on April 5 as part of Genocide Awareness Month.

About 200 people ranging from teenagers to seniors gathered at the First United Methodist Church to hear John Prendergast, co-chair of the Enough Project (www.enoughproject.org), talk about the Darfur region of Sudan.

“Big changes occur when peoples’ movements emerge to drive that change,” he emphasized during a talk about the government-backed murder that has claimed 450,000 lives and displaced 2.5 million people, according to washingtonpost.com.

Outside the auditorium, sponsoring organizations attracted crowds with leaflets, posters and photographs. The Oregon Holocaust Resource Center’s stark display provided information on the Shoah and Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park. Nearby, the Kol Shalom Community for Humanistic Jews focused on selling stoves for the Solar Cooker Project.

Women must leave the refugee camps to collect firewood for cooking, explained member Eva Rickles. According to Jewish World Watch (www.jewishworldwatch.org), 200,000 women and children who fled Darfur live in refugee camps across the border in Chad.

“They’re raped, they’re mutilated—terrible things happen,” Rickles said.

If they cook with solar stoves, they do not need to leave the safety of the camp. Each stove costs $15.

Emily Gottfried, director of the American Jewish Committee Oregon Chapter answered questions and collected donations at the central welcome table.

“We continue to bring this important issue to the forefront so people don’t forget,” she said.

Gottfried worked closely with Rob Hadley, regional educator for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

"We hope to further coalition building between anti-genocide groups throughout Oregon,” Hadley said. “Together we speak with a larger voice.”

Prendergast, assistant to the secretary of state for African Affairs in the Clinton administration and author of eight books, structured his talk around the Three Ps required to end genocide: peacemaking, protection and punishment.

Peacemaking requires expanded multi-lateral efforts and includes understanding the conflict’s root cause, he said. The United Nations must provide protection. Punishment is necessary, Prendergast believes: “If nothing happens to the perpetrators, this will keep happening."

Despite five years of conflict and grim statistics, Prendergast sees a turning point. He noted how seemingly hopeless situations like South Africa’s apartheid were resolved once the Three Ps gained momentum. He sees similar improvement in Darfur now.

New hope for peacemaking comes with President Bush’s recent appointment of special envoy Richard Williamson to revitalize the peace process, he said.

The UN authorized a peacekeeping force of 20,000 to provide protection. The UN has not deployed the force yet.

Regarding punishment, Prendergast called the International Criminal Court “the most important thing since the Nuremberg trials.”

He noted indictments against two Sudanese officials allegedly responsible for the Darfur genocide.

Prendergast also discussed “windows of opportunity,” or current situations that make action more likely.

China, the largest investor in Sudanese oil, has historically protected the Sudanese government, he explained. Now, the 2008 Beijing Olympics make China vulnerable to public pressure.

President Bush’s concern about his legacy and the upcoming United States presidential election also provide opportunities.

“We have the first mass movement of people to end genocide while it is happening,” Prendergast said urging everyone to join if only for 15 minutes each week. “Collectively saying ‘Not on Our Watch’ and ‘Never Again’ will make the difference,” he said, and named specific actions everyone should take (see box).

After listening to Prendergast’s lecture, Rabbi Michael Cahana of Congregation Beth Israel said, “We understand slavery, we understand genocide and we can’t let it stand. Every one of us could devote 15 minutes a week to making a phone call or to being involved in a project. These are the kinds of things that make a difference.”

1. Join the Movement: Get on an e-mail distribution list and keep in touch. Visit Save Darfur at www.savedarfur.org or The American Jewish Committee at www.ajc.org and signup in the top right corner.
2. Contact elected officials: Visit www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml for the e-mail, phone numbers and postal addresses for local, state and federal officials.
3. Call the White House: Call 1-800-GENOCIDE (1-800-436-6243) and automatically connect to your representative, senator or the White House.
4. Write local media: Visit www.usnpl.com/ornews.php for Oregon newspaper contact information.
5. Help with Darfur events at the Olympic Trials in Eugene this summer: Contact the Lane County Darfur Coalition lcdarfurcoalition/org, info@lcdarfurcoalition.org or or Stop Genocide Now, www.stopgenocidenow.org, 503-349-4946, ktj@stopgenocidenow.org.
6. Divest: Urge firms to stop funding genocide. Visit www.savedarfur.org/page/content/index for information and a divestment guide.