CANADA : Nov 27 – Day of Action to Alleviate Human Suffering in the Eastern DR Congo
Here’s the lowdown on why the conflict should matter to Canadians (from ACAC’s facebook group):
The biggest war since World War II, over 5 million dead
tens of thousands raped. It is estimated that 75% of all rape occurs in
the DR Congo.UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this), "384176fa721998149a2eae90c92d7068", event);
}">http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/11/congos_crisis_worsens.htmlWhy you should care
Canada is the largest non-African mining investor in the DR Congo.
We have been asked three times to lead an intervention by the United
Nations and have said no. As of November 6, 2008 the Canadian
International Development Agency’s aid was reduced from $33 million in
06/07 to 23.4 million in 08/09.
The Day of Action is happening this Thursday. Here’s the schedule (also on facebook):
Part 1 – flash protest to raise awareness and spread the word. 10:55
AM. Location TBA. Email acac.drcongo@gmail.com to get involved.
Part 2 – Rally. 11:30 – 2:30. Location: SUB’s South Side Lounge.
Speeches from the Congolese community, performances, music, videos,
petition signing, and information booths
They have invited MPs, the media, and UBC’s administration.
Representatives of the Vancouver Congolese community, ACAC, CIAI, and
UBC clubs will be attending.
And some other ways you can help:
Visit www.acacdrcong.org and
1) sign the online petition
2) send a letter to your local MP
3) download the “take action package” and give two minute presentations in your classroom about whats happening.
If all of us at UBC support ACAC’s message and the Day of Action, we
have the numbers to send a powerful message to the Canadian government
and to make a difference.