By Alessandra Perez
Fifty-one University students joined thousands of people who gathered Sunday at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in an effort to urge President George Bush to take action against the genocide in the Sudan.
The University’s participation in the Save Darfur Rally was the culmination of the genocide Awareness Week events.
The meeting was invoked by Million Voices for Darfur and assembled politicians, human rights activists and celebrities in an effort to call President Bush to take action on the violent situation of the African area, according to a University press release. Four thousand African descent Sudanese have been killed by the local government and barely any intervention or support by the American government has being issued.
Hofstra’s Genocide Awareness Week, organized for the first time last year, included activities to stop genocide in Darfur to advocate action by University students.
“Our goal is to collaborate with students and provide creative programming that will educate, inspire and motivate them,” Kimberly Rhyan, the graduate assistant for Student Activities said. “Students want their voices to be heard and Student Activities and the dean of students collaborated with students for a purpose that extended itself around the globe to Darfur.”
In addition, Hofstra’s Student Activities Office with the help of Font, SGA, Hofstra Democrats, the Newman Club, Education for Middle Eastern Truth, Muslim Student Association and IVCF, organized several events throughout the week. A photo exhibit was set up in the Student Center atrium, as well as a table in which more than 100 students fill in postcards to be sent to President Bush urging him to act against the genocide.
“Staying silent only assists the killers and allows them to continue what they are doing. We wanted to get this very important point across to the student body, and the Rally gave them the perfect opportunity to speak loudly to the entire world,” said Ashley Gray, production manager of Font and one of the trip organizers. “We will not stand by quietly while thousands are being slaughtered over in Darfur.”