Edition
ENOUGH is ENOUGH It’s after 9 pm in the evening on 28th May 2008 and the door swings back and forth as performers, speakers, bodyguards and a few hangers-on all huddle back stage at the UCLA Mighty Mic Anti-Genocide event. Outside in a darkened lecture theater, there are spokespeople from various peace-keeping organizations, church members, activists, rock stars and members of the press, all here on one mission: to call for an end to genocide. Among those back stage is Human Rights Activist, John Prendergast, who has been fielding questions from a variety of news sources for well over three hours. An adviser to the White House and the State Department in the mid-1990s and Co-Author of“Not on Our Watch” with Actor Don Cheadle, Before and since his time in government, he has fashioned himself as a freelance peace-broker—the antithesis of a mercenary and currently works (along with many other humanitarian groups) with the Center for American Progress’ ENOUGH Project (enoughproject.org), whose website states their mission to "prevent genocide and mass atrocities by promoting Peace, providing Protection, and Punishing the perpetrators". The project aims to answer questions about what is really happening in those countries where genocide is taking place and offer a clear path to sustainable solutions. Co-founded by CAP and the International Crisis Group in early 2007, they set out to establish a new paradigm for action concerning the issues and not just democratic debate. Their use of in-depth knowledge gathered from the field and a close network of contacts, enables them to create clear, viable policy recommendations, and engage activists to apply pressure on the perpetrators and well-meaning governments whose own inertia prevents them from taking the steps necessary to stop genocide and crimes against humanity. Enough has been part of creating a new type of free-flowing, free-thinking dialogue between activists, government officials, aid workers and the refugees themselves. By highlighting the policies that work and holding up for scrutiny those that are dormant or ineffective, they are making a difference by demonstrating that progress is possible. Currently their focus is on the on-going situations in Darfur, Sudan, Northern Uganda, the Congo and the spillover violence in the Chad. John hasn’t had much time tonight to stop to eat or drink, despite the tempting array of foods on display at the VIP buffet, but his passion can still be felt and he doesn’t miss a beat as he agrees to talk with Cheers about the current situation in Darfur, Sudan. Cheers: John, thank you for agreeing to speak with us. How important are events like this and do they make a difference in the long run? JP: I’d describe what is happening tonight as the human equivalent of a volcano. There are things that have been churning (underground) for awhile, but only now are we beginning to see anything. All across America community groups, churches, high schools, Afro-American groups and organizations have been learning about the genocide taking place and now they are taking steps to do something about it. So we’re seeing an eruption because of the rising concern. On its own, the event is important, but its part of a collective whole that is helping to create that pressure that’s slowly but surely going to have an impact on our elected officials. Cheers: What is the significance of the student involvement in the issue of Darfur? JP: It’s an unquestionable fact that every major social movement in the last two centuries that students have been the vanguard. If there was no student movement now there would be no anti-genocide action. We saw it begin in 2004 and slowly but surely it’s spreading to other universities, schools and youth groups where young people began to gather together with some measure of concern for their fellow human beings, saying “We’re going to drum roll these issues until we see change. We’re gonna make a difference”. Cheers: What are some of the positive results you have seen in the name of change? JP: Well just this week (28th May 2008) we saw John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton sign a joint statement - which has not happened since world war two, where competing presidential candidates sign a joint document – to say ‘we’re going to do something about Darfur. We’re going to set aside our differences. So don’t think that the Sudan government can get away with murder and we’re not going to do anything”. So it’s an extraordinary time. Cheers: What do you feel is the answer to seeing permanent change in Sudan as a whole? What does the change look like? JP: Well ultimately the answer is the re-establishment of the participatory democratic governments which existed before 1989. A Sudanese democracy where; people have a say in electing their governors and people have a say in how their communities are governed, (the) developing (of) policies that pursue and are in support of human rights and not the aspirations of the bank accounts of the very few. So it’s a change that’s required – political change. Cheers: What role, if any, do local organizations and groups in Sudan have to play in this change? JP: There is a great resource of organizations and local movements within Sudan that were very strong before 1989 and are still there working for change and looking for justice. And frankly speaking, the rebellion against the government and military are other expressions of people’s aspirations for liberation. But those on the ground need our support and assistance so that they can turn the tide around. Cheers: Finally, what are your closing thoughts on how long this crisis may last? JP: Well, What government in history has stayed in perpetuity? None! So we’ll see. We’re gonna have to see how long they last, but hopefully we can bring about an earlier end to this kind of exclusive dictatorship which has destroyed 2.5 million lives solely on the basis of their identity. Cheers: John, thank you for the work you’re doing and for speaking to us hear at Cheers magazine. JP: Thank you, you are welcome. Nice to meet you, too. BE MOVED TO ACTION..because life is precious!
An adviser to the White House and the State Department in the mid-1990s and Co-Author of“Not on Our Watch” with Actor Don Cheadle, Before and since his time in government, he has fashioned himself as a freelance peace-broker—the antithesis of a mercenary and currently works (along with many other humanitarian groups) with the Center for American Progress’ ENOUGH Project (enoughproject.org), whose website states their mission to "prevent genocide and mass atrocities by promoting Peace, providing Protection, and Punishing the perpetrators".
The project aims to answer questions about what is really happening in those countries where genocide is taking place and offer a clear path to sustainable solutions. Co-founded by CAP and the International Crisis Group in early 2007, they set out to establish a new paradigm for action concerning the issues and not just democratic debate. Their use of in-depth knowledge gathered from the field and a close network of contacts, enables them to create clear, viable policy recommendations, and engage activists to apply pressure on the perpetrators and well-meaning governments whose own inertia prevents them from taking the steps necessary to stop genocide and crimes against humanity.
Enough has been part of creating a new type of free-flowing, free-thinking dialogue between activists, government officials, aid workers and the refugees themselves. By highlighting the policies that work and holding up for scrutiny those that are dormant or ineffective, they are making a difference by demonstrating that progress is possible. Currently their focus is on the on-going situations in Darfur, Sudan, Northern Uganda, the Congo and the spillover violence in the Chad.
John hasn’t had much time tonight to stop to eat or drink, despite the tempting array of foods on display at the VIP buffet, but his passion can still be felt and he doesn’t miss a beat as he agrees to talk with Cheers about the current situation in Darfur, Sudan.
Cheers: John, thank you for agreeing to speak with us. How important are events like this and do they make a difference in the long run?
JP: I’d describe what is happening tonight as the human equivalent of a volcano. There are things that have been churning (underground) for awhile, but only now are we beginning to see anything. All across America community groups, churches, high schools, Afro-American groups and organizations have been learning about the genocide taking place and now they are taking steps to do something about it. So we’re seeing an eruption because of the rising concern. On its own, the event is important, but its part of a collective whole that is helping to create that pressure that’s slowly but surely going to have an impact on our elected officials.
Cheers: What is the significance of the student involvement in the issue of Darfur?
JP: It’s an unquestionable fact that every major social movement in the last two centuries that students have been the vanguard. If there was no student movement now there would be no anti-genocide action. We saw it begin in 2004 and slowly but surely it’s spreading to other universities, schools and youth groups where young people began to gather together with some measure of concern for their fellow human beings, saying “We’re going to drum roll these issues until we see change. We’re gonna make a difference”.
Cheers: What are some of the positive results you have seen in the name of change?
JP: Well just this week (28th May 2008) we saw John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton sign a joint statement - which has not happened since world war two, where competing presidential candidates sign a joint document – to say ‘we’re going to do something about Darfur. We’re going to set aside our differences. So don’t think that the Sudan government can get away with murder and we’re not going to do anything”. So it’s an extraordinary time.
Cheers: What do you feel is the answer to seeing permanent change in Sudan as a whole? What does the change look like?
JP: Well ultimately the answer is the re-establishment of the participatory democratic governments which existed before 1989. A Sudanese democracy where; people have a say in electing their governors and people have a say in how their communities are governed, (the) developing (of) policies that pursue and are in support of human rights and not the aspirations of the bank accounts of the very few. So it’s a change that’s required – political change.
Cheers: What role, if any, do local organizations and groups in Sudan have to play in this change?
JP: There is a great resource of organizations and local movements within Sudan that were very strong before 1989 and are still there working for change and looking for justice. And frankly speaking, the rebellion against the government and military are other expressions of people’s aspirations for liberation. But those on the ground need our support and assistance so that they can turn the tide around.
Cheers: Finally, what are your closing thoughts on how long this crisis may last?
JP: Well, What government in history has stayed in perpetuity? None! So we’ll see. We’re gonna have to see how long they last, but hopefully we can bring about an earlier end to this kind of exclusive dictatorship which has destroyed 2.5 million lives solely on the basis of their identity.
Cheers: John, thank you for the work you’re doing and for speaking to us hear at Cheers magazine.
JP: Thank you, you are welcome. Nice to meet you, too.
