First it was a vision.... now it’s a reality.....
YES, ''global night commute'' is finally happening here in NZ on Saturday, 27th may.
For those of you who have seen the movie and heard about the situation in Uganda, you would be aware of the daily plight
of the Ugandan children who have to travel 27 miles every night to escape the clutches of the rebels. They do this out
of fear, out of hope that they they’ll survive. We too hold this event to give them ‘’hope’’. Hope that one day they can
sleep peacefully in their homes without any fear or anxiety!
The GNC was held in the USA in April this year and more than 50,000 people participated. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey
too lent their support to the cause! We hope to recreate a small movement of our own in NZ to show our solidarity with
the Ugandan children as well as supporters of this movement all over the world!
Here are the few details about the event on Saturday
VENUE- AOTEA SQUARE
TIME: MEET AT 7PM
DATE- 27th may, 2006(Saturday)
AGENDA:
1) Assemble at aotea square by 7pm.
2) 2 hr walk around queen street
3) screening of the movie and guest speakers giving a speech
4) African dances, letter writing sessions and art projects.
5) Stay over at night.
TO-BRING LIST:
1) Blankets or mats
2) Stationary items (paper, crayons, markers, envelopes and stamps)
3) A picture of yourself
4) Warm clothes
5) Snacks and water
6) Banners (if you can make some)
7) For those under 18, pals get the liability form I’m attaching with the mail.
PLS WEAR SOMETHING RED OR BLACK!
MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS:
Contact harish on 0212097626
Or e-mail visiblechildren@gmail.com
We are planning to have a banner making session in the Auckland university quad on Saturday between 1-2 pm, come along
if you are interested.
Lastly, lets make a night to remember.....Let’s try being the change we want to see in this world… lets show it to the
Ugandan children, they are not alone, they are not forgotten, they are not invisible!
Pls forward this mail to as many people as possible because numbers do matter! Hope to see you all on Saturday.
Thanking you for your support,
Invisible children team,
NZ
ENDS
Invisible Children is in New Zealand
Facts About ‘The Movement’
- The struggle in Uganda is the longest running war in Africa, and one of the worst crises in the world today,
acknowledged as such by the Under Secretary of the United Nations.
- Invisible Children is a non-profit organization concerned with aiding the youth in Northern Uganda.
- Invisible Children is present in Africa and is aiding the youth locally through health care, and mentorship programs,
nationally, by assisting Nobel-recognized peace negotiators and internationally, implementing multi-media awareness
campaigns around the world.
- In New Zealand, Invisible Children is recognized and supported AIESEC, AUSA, AUSM, Amnesty International, and Oxfam.
- Invisible Children is a grass-roots organization which contributes 98% of donated income directly to youth in Africa.
- Invisible Children is tackling issues so important that celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey have lent her full
support. Manifestations of up to 80,000 people have gathered to demonstrate their belief in this movement.
- Due to lobbying by I.C and aid from the international community, The United States of America passed bipartisan
Northern Uganda Crisis Response Act on February 2nd 2005.
- Invisible Children recognizes the long-standing support of New Zealand for human rights and peace.
- Already thousands have lent their support to this movement in New Zealand, in particular youth groups which see this
threat to the youth of Uganda as a personal threat to the right of youth to live freely.
- We ask that the New Zealand Government should press the United Nations and Yoweri Museveni (Ugandan Prime Minister) to
do four things:
1. Financially support Betty Bigombe - chief mediator in a new peace initiative with the Lords Resistance Army.
2. Addressing all nations to put pressure on Congo to change their mandate - Currently the LRA has temporarily stationed
in eastern Congo; by pressuring Congo to force the LRA back into Uganda – the Ugandan military force can efficiently do
their job
3. End the conflict and protect the civilians in Northern Uganda
4. Ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to these Invisible Children in the Internally Displace Camps and beyond
- Events that are planned to raise more awareness are:
1. May 27th 2006 – Global Night Commute – 7 PM Students, youth groups, teachers, and the concerned public will be
commuting through Down Town Auckland, accompanied by traditional African drumming, dancing and singing, to raise
awareness of the struggle that the youth of Uganda face today.
o Northern Uganda is called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today because of the lack of attention
o 1.7 million people forcibly displaced
o An estimated 20- 50,000 children abducted to fight as soldiers
o tens of thousands of children commuting nightly
o 130 people die per day in Northern Uganda due to violence.
Official Website: www.invisiblechildren.com
For further information please refer to:
Civil Society Organizations For Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU)
http://www.nrc.no/UgandaKeyFacts.doc
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
http://www.theirc.org/news/page.jsp?itemID=28173324
International Crisis Group (ICG)
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=2346=1
Amnesty International
http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/uganda/reports.do