Some of NYC stands with Darfur!

This past Sunday a healthy number of people (20,000 according to the most optimistic accounts) gathered at the National Mall in Washington DC to protest the genocide being perpetrated by Arab militias (infamous among them the militias called janjaweed)in the Darfur area of Sudan against the native African population. My seminary, as well as many other Jewish religious institutions of the Northeast, sent buses with delegations to the rally. I was privileged to be among those standing next to the Capitol demanding that another genocide will not be allowed to occur, once again, while the whole world watches indiferently.



I was pleased to see the Jewish response to genocide--about half of the participants of the rally were members of a Jewish organization spanning the whole denominational spectrum and the secular-religious divide. It seems that the promise of "Never Again!" echoes strongly among many Jews. It is a shame, as Zvia points out poignantly, that although the relative participation of Jews was enormous it was still small in comparison to equivalent rallies that flock to especifically Jewish issues like Israel. I was also shocked by the absence of massive and representative groups of other religious denominations, especially given the fact that Washington is so close to areas where socially active churches like the Southern Baptist are very strong. I can only hope that they will join the struggle.



It may be excessively naive to think that these sort of events will have any immediate consequences of worth other than raising awareness and leading to bigger rallies and louder political action. And although outrage comes cheap these days, it is comforting to know that some people are willing to spend it. May more people be outraged! May our squeamish Western sensitivities lead into action! May this generation don´t have a Holocaust to be ashamed of!


(En diáspera también hay espacio para el humor.)