Editor,
While the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech and the ongoing chaos in Iraq grab all the headlines, genocide is being carried out in Darfur, the western part of Sudan. Estimates vary, but in the last four years, possibly 400,000 have been killed and 3.5 million have been displaced from their homes. Add to this systematic rape, looting, plundering, slavery, miserable conditions in refugee camps and raids into Chad and the Central African Republic. The situation is dismal, to say the least. The killing is carried out with aerial bombing and militia gunmen. The government of Sudan even had the audacity to paint warplanes white and label them "United Nations."
Many politicians have pledged to never let another Rwanda happen. Well, it is happening, and they have not done enough to stop it. This needs to be a priority, or else it will just keep getting worse. Experts agree that there need to be U.N. peacekeepers on the ground to ensure that these atrocities stop and humanitarian aid can get to the refugees. This force must be deployed immediately. It must be adequately supported and adequately large to cover a territory the size of Texas. I urge everyone to write to the government, so the U.N. will make this the fastest deployment in its history. There is no excuse for delays.
To learn more and find out how you can help, visit
SaveDarfur.org or look up the area on Google Earth. Also, this Sunday at 7 p.m., come show your support at the Duck Pond, where a candlelight vigil will be held. We must act now.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Joshua Frederiksen
UNM medical student
