The Daily Campus

Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Dan Kwan

Desperate to raise awareness of modern-day genocide, UConn activists left bodies strewn across Fairfield Way yesterday.

Around 20 students took part in the Die-in For Darfur - lying down in the center of campus, holding signs stating the death toll of the Darfur genocide and calling for action. They included members of UConn PIRG, Idealists United, UConn STAND and at least one member of the UN Student Ambassadors.

"We came together because we are passionate about stopping the genocide and we believe a powerful event like this allows our voices to be heard," said Kaitlin Nickerson, the Die-in's organizer.

The civil war in Darfur has been raging for decades and in the last few years Sudan's Khartoum government has employed Arab Bedouins, called the Janjaweed, as mercenaries. These mercenaries, as well as the national army, have been responsible for around 400,000 deaths and 2.5 million people displaced. The genocide is intended to weaken the rebel groups, made up of Muslims who are fighting for independence from the Arab national government.

Nickerson and a few others not on the ground were asking passers-by to sign a petition for aid for the Darfuris and UN enactment of the Save Darfur Coalition's "Plan B." Among the plan's strategies to end the conflict are enforcement of sanctions, no-fly zones and the construction of safe refugee camps. One copy will be sent to the UN Secretary General and the other to President Bush, Nickerson said.

Also on the petition was a request for the divestment of U.S. companies from Sudan, which many believe would economically isolate the government that funds the genocide.

"Cut them off, make them get the point," Nickerson said.

When asked how they felt about the international response to the genocide, the protesters were consistently negative.

"Apathetic," said Nickerson. "Out of sight, out of mind."

"Some people don't even realize a genocide has occurred," said Allyssa Milan, 19, a 4th-semester student. "I think back to the Holocaust; we swore it would never happen again, but look where we are."



"Pitiful, shameful; not enough has been done," said Mike Brandt, 21, an 8th-semester student.



While most of those at the protest felt that the international response should be more aggressive, most did not want a full military intervention.



"I feel that a regime change would be a huge mistake. What we need to do is protect civilians," said Brandt, the founder of Idealists United.



He used the example of refugee camps in Darfur, where civilians who leave to collect firewood and water are often raped or murdered by roving gangs of Janjaweed.



While aid and food is getting to some of those who need it, the people live in constant danger, Brandt said.



The same groups and individuals that organized the Die-in are planning the Human Rights Awareness Festival from April 9 to April 14, Brandt said.

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