STAND members organize "Displace Me" event
By Maria Gallucci
Communication Assistant, Center for International Studies
Through student organization and participation, Ohio University has joined a larger group of schools and colleges developing grassroots efforts to promote awareness of genocide in Darfur, Sudan and to create a permanent anti-genocide student movement.
Lindsay Caldwell, a senior undergraduate in African Studies, recently organized an OU chapter of STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition. Within her studies and education abroad to Senegal, Caldwell found it hard to ignore the issues of genocide and constant turmoil all over the African continent, particularly within Sudan. She felt she had “no reason not get involved.”
She decided to form the chapter with the goal of educating the community on genocide in Darfur and emphasizing that citizens in the United States have the ability to express what is important and the power to make a change.
According to its Web site, STAND serves as a “guide for student groups in high schools and colleges, helping them to develop their grassroots efforts for Darfur and anti-genocide activism, to unify their message and to coordinate efforts.
There are three committees within STAND at OU. The first is an advocacy committee that involves lobbying for political action, letter-writing campaigns and participating in rallies, such as one held in Pittsburgh in April. The group hopes through fundraising to support the national chapter, aid African Union troops stationed in Darfur and to provide resources for people in displacement camps.
The awareness committee brings in speakers and hosts events, such as the May 14 candlelight vigil organized along with Amnesty International and the United Campus Ministries.
“Genocide is a nonpartisan, nondenominational issue,” said Caldwell, adding that the human issue has drawn a large outpour of interest to STAND.
The group meets each Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Bentley Hall, Room 135. To join the listserv, e-mail stand.ohiou@gmail.com. For more information, contact Lindsay Caldwell at lc235603@ohio.edu.