National human rights organization joins Portland activists in 'Olympic Dream for Darfur' campaign

What does the annual convention of a liberal religious denomination have to do with the 2008 Olympics? The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is organizing anti-genocide activists from Portland and across the country to make ending the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan a central issue of the 2008 Summer Olympics to be held next year in Beijing, China.

"We are using this opportunity in Portland to educate and train activists in how to transform the Olympic dream of world peace into a reality for Darfurians," said UUSC President Charlie Clements. "Our campaign to end the crisis in Darfur is now focusing on bringing economic pressure on countries that aid and abet genocide, and China is perhaps the biggest offender.

"China's pride in hosting the Olympics is our most important leverage at the moment, so we are asking all people of conscience to join us in exerting moral pressure on China in the critical months ahead."

UUSC, an international human rights organization based in Cambridge, Mass., will be conducting a series of public events in Portland focusing on the Darfur genocide issue, including a major community march and rally on Sunday, June 24, during the annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Assembly of more than 5,000 delegates and members from across the country will be held June 20-24 at the Portland Convention Center.

The major events include:

-- An all-day workshop on Wednesday, June 20, at the Ambridge Event Center, 300 NE Multnomah St., to educate and train activists from Portland and across the country to become leaders in the growing grassroots movement to help end the genocide in Darfur. Featured speakers are Omer Ismail, a Darfurian refugee; Charlie Clements, UUSC president and internationally recognized human rights activist; Rev. William G. Sinkford, UUA president; and Frances Moore Lappé, noted author and activist.

-- A training session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, June 21, in the Windows Skyroom at the Red Lion Inn, specifically designed to inspire youth and young adults in advocating for Darfur. The training session will be followed by a service project on Saturday, June 23, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at Medical Teams International, where the young people will put together humanitarian relief kits to be shipped to Darfurian refugee camps.

-- A community rally on Sunday, June 24, 2007, beginning at noon, at the Oregon Square Courtyard on Holladay Street near the Convention Center. Led by a strong contingent of Oregon Unitarian Universalists and Portland's Coalition for Genocide Awareness, the rally will feature prominent anti-genocide speakers, a mock "Camp Darfur" community of several refugee tents, and the symbolic lighting of an "Olympic" torch.

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, founded in 1939 to help rescue victims of Nazi persecution, advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. The UUA, the umbrella organization of the Unitarian Universalist denomination, represents more than 1,000 congregations and 200,000 individuals.