STAND rallies against genocide

    Instead of watching TV and reading newspapers about the horrors of Darfur, some GCSU students are taking a stand and are doing what they can to help out with the situation.
    A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition (STAND) is an organization that raises awareness about the ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan. The organization raises money for those who have been affected by the conflict and they also advocate political action.
    According to savedarfur.org, the conflict began in 2003. Two rebel groups mounted a challange against the governement of Sudan. The governemnt in response increased arms and support to local tribal and other militias.  These militia groups have wiped out entire villages, destroyed food and water supplies, and systematically murdered, tortured, and raped hundreds of thousands of Darfurians.
    Valerie Blum, a senior history major, started the GCSU chapter of STAND in the spring of last year.
    “The chapter started last spring and we really accomplished a lot,” Blum said. “We gave out save Darfur bracelets and also had a STAND Die-In on Front Campus to get people aware of the situation and it was really successful.”
    The chapter has grown since last semester and is doing what they can to educate students about the Darfur situation.
    Junior Dustin Binns has been a part of STAND since the beginning of this semester.
    “I seriously thought that very few people knew about this kind of stuff. My band got involved with Invisible Children and that’s how I learned about the Darfur situation,” Binns said. “I didn’t think anybody really cared and one day I got introduced to Valerie and the rest is really history.”
    The response to the group around campus has been a positive one.
    “Professors love our cause. They do what they can to help out,” Blum said. “They have even asked me to speak to their classes to help educate students.”
    Taylor Mills, a sophomore history major, has been a part of the organization since last spring when it began.
    “The question to ask now is really why hasn’t everyone else decided to join,” Mills said. “There is so much going on in the world, it’s more than just Darfur. People need to get active.”
    Leigh Griffith, a senior liberal studies major, is supportive of STAND.
    “I really think that STAND has helped to bring attention to the violence in Darfur, that is the first step. As students, we should understand the perspectives of the victims, the Janjaweed, Africans and Arabs and the government of Sudan,” Griffith said. “These groups all have an important role in this issue and it is a complex problem with various angles. Once we know all the angles of the issue, we can generate some ideas on how to be active. STAND is in a great position to facilitate these discussions.”
    The organization is trying to educate more individuals and the chapter is hosting Rock for Darfur Nov. 15 to help spread the word about the situation.
    “Kids in a college town enjoy music so what better way to raise awareness then have individuals come out, listen to music and get educated all at the same time,” Binns said.
    The event is free to the public and all the money donated is going to civilian protection and refugees.
    The chapter’s main goal is to educate students about the genocide situation.
    “Events like this are about educating students because once you do that, then they can become active in helping the situation,” Blum said.
    The GCSU chapter of STAND meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. at Blackbird Coffee. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings.
    “Many don’t think it’s possible for students to make a difference, but STAND has shown me that students can take action and make changes; we are powerful,” said Blum.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 1 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry