| Two days for Darfur
Calgary MLA David Swann is organizing a two-day vigil on May 13 and 14 at the Harry Hays Building (220 — 4 Ave. S.E.) to raise awareness about the need for more international intervention to end the civil war in Darfur, Sudan. Swann plans to be on-site from 9 a.m. on May 13 until 6 p.m. on May 14. He will also fast for 24 hours.
"This is an issue to be very strong on. I’m just so afraid that we’re going to see another Rwanda, which we said we would not allow and yet it’s creeping closer and closer," says Swann.
On May 13, Sudanese Calgarians will share their personal stories about the war from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there will be a candlelight vigil with representatives of various churches from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. On May 14, Sudanese Calgarians will put on cultural performances from noon to 4 p.m.
Swann says the Canadian government needs to be a world leader on action in Darfur. "Canadians want this and Canadians will not tolerate inaction this time. We are clearly capable of being the world leader in this and it’s time for us to step up and show we’re made of," he says, adding that the United Nations is "hamstrung" by its security council.
Swann says he’d like to see both financial aid and Canadian peacekeeping troops on the ground in Darfur.
The Sudanese government and the main rebel group in Darfur have just signed a peace agreement, but two other rebel groups have refused to sign. Darfur currently has about 7,000 African Union troops trying to maintain peace, but Swann says it’s not nearly enough and it’s time for an international peacekeeping mission to intervene.
Three million people have been displaced in the conflict and require humanitarian assistance and at least 180,000 people have died. The United Nation’s World Food Programme has cut back the number of calories Sudanese refugees receives to 1,050 calories a day from 2,100 because it’s short of funds. The Red Cross will be at the vigil to collect donations for Darfur.
Ethical fashion show
CUSO is holding its second sweatshop-free fashion show on May 11 at Artspace (1235-26 Ave. S.E.) to promote ethically produced clothing.
Adam Neiman, president of the Boston-based organization No Sweat Apparel that sells sweatshop-free clothing, will be the guest speaker. There will also be entertainment by DJ Shaman, Axe Capoeira and Lynn Olagundoye with Guerilla Funk Monster. Some local designers’ fashions will be featured at the event.
Daniel Martinez, one of the event organizers, says the fashion show is an opportunity to meet other "like-minded people" who care about social justice and an opportunity to educate people "that there’s some companies here that are providing these products and they can actually go out and buy them."
Martinez says it’s also important for CUSO to promote ethically minded local businesses that don’t have a large marketing budget.
Doors open at 7 p.m. |
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