Enough Silence--Let's Talk!

Students at UC Berkeley are hosting an event designed to educate and empower students towards action regarding the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. There will be filmmakers, photographers, a Darfur survivor and more. Workshops will also take place focusing on how students and others can become more aware of the continued conflict and ways to advocate change. Student performances as well as a local California band will be performing at the conclusion of this event.

The event is to be held at the UC Berkeley campus in room 159 of Mulford Hall on Friday, March 13th from 6pm-midnight. The purpose of the event is to empower students with the motivation and desire to take action regarding genocide. With student-led workshops, similar to those held at the National STAND Conference in Washington, D.C. in November 2008, students will be able to ask student leaders questions in important areas such as advocacy, education, lobbying, fundraising and methods of engaging their local communities. A local Bay Area filmmaker, Francesca Roveda will be screening her documentary film focusing on the recent Tents of Hope campaign. One of the tents, sponsored by the Wesley Student Center, FCCB (First Congregational Church of Berkeley) and UC Berkeley STAND (Student Anti-Genocide Division) chapter, will be on site for students to sign for a donation of $3.00. Students will no longer feel remote from issues concerning Darfur after meeting Darfur survivor, DengJonkuch, and listening to him recount his personal hardships and hopes for the long-suffering people of southern Sudan. Mark Brecke, well-known photographer and independent filmmaker will also attend and speak about his work surrounding Darfur, Rwanda, and Kosovo. His award-winning film entitled, They Turned Our Desert into Fire, will also be discussed and possibly screened towards the end of this semester. We are encouraging discussion, action and most of all education at this event. Student performances will also take place in forms of music, poetry, dance, etc and a local California band, The Reel, is scheduled to perform in Lower Sproul Plaza from 10-midnight. A silent art auction will also take place and food will be provided. Donations are encouraged with all proceeds going towards the GI-NET's (Genocide Intervention Network)DARFUR-Fast project.