This afternoon the State House grounds were crowded with South Carolinians who turned out for a three-hour rally in an effort to end the ethnic cleansing in Darfur.
Speakers included politicians – Mayor Bob Coble, US Rep Jim Clyburn, former Gov. Jim Hodges, Sens. Joel Lurie and David Thomas and Rep. Joe Neal – USC President Dr. Andrew Sorensen, Darfuri refugees Mohamed Yahya and Mary Komy, and activists Coby Rudolph, Brad Phillips and Sam Bell.
The crowd was entertained by hometown favorite Danielle Howle, USC’s marching band, Brian Conner, Big Kenny, Djole African Dance and Drum Company, and a drumming team led by Mohammed DeCosta. The music was inspired, at one point prompting an impromptu line dance.
All of them turned out in an effort to prevent further carnage in Darfur, where an estimated 400,000 people have died in the genocide. More than 3 million more have fled to refugee camps, where thousands die each month of deprivation and disease.
Last month, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1769, which authorizes a multinational force to provide security for the refugees and protection for truck convoys trying to deliver humanitarian aid. Previous such resoutions ahve been ignored by the government of Sudan.
While the SC Darfur Action Group had invited presidential candidates to speak, none accepted the offer, nor did they send surrogates. That snub no doubt affected the turnout, which was lower than anyone expected. Even with massive exposure in the local media, including several days of promotion by The State newspaper (usually unmoved to support community action), the event attracted only hundreds rather than the hoped for thousands.
Still, congratulations are in order for the organizers of the rally. For those of us who were there, it was a fine afternoon spent in great company and a rare spirit of solidarity. Thanks to them, and to all the good people who took the time to show their support.
For more information on Darfur and how you can help, visit the SC Darfur Action Group’s web site.
Becci Robbins
For more photos of the rally, click here.
Darfuri refugee Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom, urges the crowd to work to end the genocide in his native Sudan.