Monday October 15, 2007

Bunker Hill, Los Angeles

Donning the blue berets symbolizing the peace keeping mission of the United Nations, “Save Darfur”, and “Stop Genocide” T-shirts, about 50 activists came together for a peaceful demonstration in front of the Los Angeles Headquarters of the “Capital Group” today.

Led by the Reverend Howard Dotson, of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, (http://www.fccla.org) we leafleted the plaza of the towering Bank of America building followed by a talk by Reverend Dotson and a candlelight vigil to support the men, women, and children of Darfur who are suffering so greatly.

With more than a thousand pages of on-line signatures supporting the divestment campaign, a small delegation attempted to enter the building to hand deliver the petitions to Capitol Group. Building security would not permit the delegation to enter but did contact executives from Capitol Group. Two top executives came down to plaza and received the petition from Reverend Dotson and quite politely listened to the pleas of the protesters to consider alternative investments than that of those who’s assets assist the Kartoum regime’s campaign of genocide. After listening they told us that they would make sure that the persons involved in making the investment decisions would receive the signatures and they thanked us for our time and concern.

The Darfur region of the western Sudan has been gripped in a humanitarian crisis of immense proportion. Climate change coupled with a ruthless campaign of government sponsored displacement and murder has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Sudanese people and the forced displacements of hundreds of thousands more.

Many thanks to everyone who showed up!

Reverend Dotson hands box of petition signatures to executives of the Capitol Group at demonstration in downtown Los Angeles. Photographs by Patricia Cadenas (http://www.livingwall.com)