WASHINGTON, DC – In anticipation of the Save Darfur Coalition’s Rally to Stop Genocide, which will be held this Sunday, April 30^th in Washington, DC, Congresswoman Nita Lowey       (D-Westchester/Rockland) issued the following statement. 

“I add my voice to those of the thousands of Americans who will demonstrate solidarity with the people of Sudan at the Save Darfur Coalition’s Rally to Stop Genocide.  In Washington, D.C., and all across the country, concerned people of all walks of life will let the people of Darfur know that their plight has not been forgotten, and let policymakers know that the international community must take decisive action to end the Darfur genocide.

“On Sunday, people of all faiths, races and cultures will raise their voices in support of the people of Darfur, whose cries have been silenced by a brutal campaign of genocide.  We understand that our own freedom is threatened when others are enslaved -- by violence, senseless hatred, starvation and abject poverty. 

“Led by the Save Darfur Coalition, thousands of activists have already made a difference in encouraging international action on Darfur.  The concern of ordinary Americans has helped focus the attention and resources of our government – the White House, the State Department, and hundreds of Members of Congress – on solving the Darfur conflict, providing over $1.3 billion in assistance for Darfur and southern Sudan since 2000.   

“This activism also encouraged the U.S. to use its chairmanship of the U.N. Security Council in February to push for the establishment of a U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur, which will build on and expand the efforts of the current, 7,700-strong African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS).   The Security Council has asked Secretary General Annan to expedite preparation for the transition of the AMIS into a U.N. force, and we must make sure that force has enough personnel and a strong mandate.

“I urge those who have already spoken out to redouble their efforts.  We must urge the President to continue to make Darfur a priority in our relations with other nations.  We must press the U.N. to impose sanctions on all of those who are responsible for the bloodshed in Darfur.  We must continue our efforts to reinforce the African Union force, training them up to U.N. standards so many of them can transition smoothly to participation in a U.N. peacekeeping force and bolstering their efforts with NATO support.  And we must appoint a U.S. special envoy for Sudan, one point person responsible for U.S. efforts to end the Darfur conflict and maintain the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement.