In an effort to increase public consciousness about the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, various groups at Sonoma State University will host special events dedicated to this cause during the month of April.
On Tuesday, April 11, Jerry Fowler of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. will present his lecture "Genocide Emergency in Darfur." Fowler is the staff director of the Committee on Conscience at Holocaust Memorial Museum and has authored many articles and essays about the Darfur crisis that have appeared in a number of national publications. His appearance is part of the Holocaust Lecture Series and will be held at 4 p.m. in Ives 101. The event will be web cast from the University's home page.
The SSU Human Rights Club and the student community service organization, JUMP (Join Us in Making Progress) are also devoting two weeks to a Darfur awareness campaign in which they will educate fellow students and raise money for the Human Rights Club.
The schedule includes:
April 3-13 - Information table in the Stevenson main quad from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday. T-shirts and bracelets will be sold, and participants will have the opportunity to sign postcards for Million Voices for Darfur,a campaign representing victims of the genocide.
April 3-14 - Fundraiser at Baja Fresh Mexican Restaurant in Rohnert Park. 15% of the bill will be donated to the SSU Human Rights Club.
April 11 - Fundraiser at Chevy's Mexican restaurant in Santa Rosa; all day. 20% of bill (excluding alcohol) will be donated to the SSU Human Rights Club.
In addition, SSU's Associated Students is presenting "Darfur Diaries," a documentary chronicling the genocide and mass displacement of Darfur's civilians on Wednesday, April 26. There will be a question and answer period with director Adam Shapiro following the free screening at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Union multi-purpose room.
For further information about SSU's Darfur awareness activities, contact Jean Wasp, Media Relations Coordinator, at (707) 664-2057.
