2008 Woodie Awards
Students campaign against Sudan genocide
Mary Jane Walsh
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
Despite last week's blizzard that shut down campus for two days, members of Students Against Silence (SAS) met in the Peter White Lounge of the University Center.
The issue: genocide awareness.
The topic: Darfur.
SAS is a national organization that often deals with issues such as suicide, mental health and global issues, but NMU's chapter has elected to focus on raising funds to aid the citizens affected by the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
"It makes me mad that there are so many people that aren't doing anything, and we're trying so hard to do something and to make a difference," Mallori Tonn said. A member since last year, Tonn said her anger is shared by many who feel unheard in the global fight against genocide.
There are currently 20 student members who belong to SAS, though many more students receive weekly e-mails about upcoming events.
"Student participation is very important," Tonn said. "It is also important for the community to be involved, too."
Each year, SAS students vote on which humanitarian organization will receive the money the group earns. This year's profits will go to the Darfur Peace and Development Organization. Last year's profits funded the showing of a documentary film called "Darfur Diaries" and other awareness projects, Tonn said.
On April 18, SAS will sponsor Darfur Awareness Day, a fundraiser aimed at spreading awareness about the war-scarred region in Africa. SAS members will be in the Academic Mall selling shirts for $1 each. The words "I Died in Darfur Today" will be spray-painted across the front. Students and faculty are encouraged to buy and wear the shirt all day.
"On April 18, I want to get the word out. I'd like people to be aware that there's genocide happening -- injustice in the world that no one's really talking about," said Steve Caird, who has been a member of SAS for the past year. "I think that by having a lot of people wearing the shirt that day, people will see this message over and over again."
The issue: genocide awareness.
The topic: Darfur.
SAS is a national organization that often deals with issues such as suicide, mental health and global issues, but NMU's chapter has elected to focus on raising funds to aid the citizens affected by the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
"It makes me mad that there are so many people that aren't doing anything, and we're trying so hard to do something and to make a difference," Mallori Tonn said. A member since last year, Tonn said her anger is shared by many who feel unheard in the global fight against genocide.
There are currently 20 student members who belong to SAS, though many more students receive weekly e-mails about upcoming events.
"Student participation is very important," Tonn said. "It is also important for the community to be involved, too."
Each year, SAS students vote on which humanitarian organization will receive the money the group earns. This year's profits will go to the Darfur Peace and Development Organization. Last year's profits funded the showing of a documentary film called "Darfur Diaries" and other awareness projects, Tonn said.
On April 18, SAS will sponsor Darfur Awareness Day, a fundraiser aimed at spreading awareness about the war-scarred region in Africa. SAS members will be in the Academic Mall selling shirts for $1 each. The words "I Died in Darfur Today" will be spray-painted across the front. Students and faculty are encouraged to buy and wear the shirt all day.
"On April 18, I want to get the word out. I'd like people to be aware that there's genocide happening -- injustice in the world that no one's really talking about," said Steve Caird, who has been a member of SAS for the past year. "I think that by having a lot of people wearing the shirt that day, people will see this message over and over again."
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