There is a great article in the NY Times magazine today on the non-profit organization Dream for Darfur. The organization is using the Olympics as leverage to pressure China to end their support of the Sudan government and their actions, such as supplying weapons and oil, that have allowed the genocide in Darfur to continue. You can go here to read more about the direct link China has to the genocide in Darfur.
I urge you to read the article, it's a really interesting read on a small organization that has made major gains. And if you go to their website it is really easy and quick to send e-mails to the corporate sponsors of the Olympics, the UN, Ambassadors, and the International Olympic Committee.
I am so happy that major news outlets like the Times have been covering China's egregious actions with regards to human rights and freedom of the press and religion. The Times has had a few articles on the Tibetan "riots" and the violence that Tibetan protestors were encountered with by the Chinese forces. The articles have also given some background on the China/Tibet conflict, something that I think many people are still unaware of. The confluence of these two movements (Save Darfur and Free Tibet) and the unrest in China and the subsequent news coverage (much of it being suppressed by China) and the efforts by groups such as Dream for Darfur make actual change seem possible. At the very least, more awareness is brought about. But awareness is not enough, and there is opportunity for real change and action right now. And that is thrilling.
