According to my good friend, philosopher, and former Ugandan Missionary, John Barton, Christians tend to fall into two camps when it comes to issues of social justice (to paraphrase). One, they are naive and believe that enough money, American ideals (capitalism, democracy), optimism and denial will assure success and triumph. Or, they are cynical, quick to judge, though they themselves are not personally invested in works of mercy with the poor and marginalized. This is especially dangerous in the world of professional ministers and academia.
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This weekend, the Rochester Church and Rochester College are partnering to participate in the Global Night Commute (this Saturday from 5pm to 2am)--a follow up to the viewing we hosted for Invisible Children.
Americans are closing their eyes to open the worlds’ to an unseen war.
By lying down, we are joining the invisible children in northern Uganda, and demanding that our government put an end to the longest running war in africa, and one of the worst crises in the world today.
FACTS:
Northern Uganda called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today because of the lack of attention
1.7 million people forcibly displaced
AN estimated 20- 50,000 children abducted to fight as soldiers
tens of thousands of children commuting nightly
130 people die per day in Northern Uganda due to violence
On April 29th in over 130 cities across the country, thousands are lying down to demand that our government take a stand and put an end to child abduction, the need for night commuting, and war in northern Uganda.
We ask two things:
President George Bush and The United States Government should press the United Nations and Yoweri Museveni to do everything in their power to:
End the conflict and protect the civilians in Northern Uganda
Ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to the Invisible Children (in the internally Displaced camps and beyond)
This saturday, join us (rich, poor, college students, young, old) for time of reflection, peaceful protest, community, worship, and story-telling. We'll root for the Pistons and American Idol...will we root for the ones who have no voice?
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMovement/globalNightCommute/
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3 comments:
I am so excited to see how this turns out...I hope everyone feels convicted to come and show their support for the Invisible children. Sorry that I won't be able to be there, but you know that my heart will be!!
I heard yesterday that this news has made it to Oprah and she will be having camera's around the country capturing the sleep out.
300 marched for the children last Saturday. Yea for Rochester Church!
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