Action Alert:
Genocide Continues in Sudan

The Community Relations Community of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ continues to be concerned about the genocide taking place in Darfur, Sudan. 

Our own legislators are providing leadership on this issue. At Congregation Adugath Israel of West Essex, Caldwell, on Darfur Sabbath, May 14, Senator Jon Corzine and Congressman Donald Payne gave eye-witness accounts of the devastation taking place in Darfur and refugee camps in Chad, urging support for the bills they have introduced with bi-partisan sponsorship: the Darfur Accountability Act of 2005 (Senate) and the Darfur Genocide Accountabilility Act of 2005 (House). 

While specific language of the bills are being worked out in committee, you can take action now by contacting your elected representatives, as well as the Secretary of State and leadership of the House and Senate. Register your deep concern on this issue and ask that they support strong U.S. leadership in ameliorating the situation in Darfur. 

Some of the provisions included in these bills which you may want to raise in your communication include: a call for sanctions against the government of Sudan; concerted diplomatic efforts by the President and secretaries of State and Defense to raise Darfur in bilateral meetings; an extension of the current arms embargo; accelerated assistance to the African Union and expansion of its mandate; an expansion of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to protect civilians in Darfur; a military no-fly zone; and a Presidential Envoy for Sudan. 

You can also learn more about the ongoing genocide in Darfur by viewing a powerful video clip at www.phrusa.org/sudan/flash/.

"Never again" means that we can never be indifferent to the horrors of genocide in Darfur.  Do your part -- speak out.

For additional information, to contact the Community Relations Committee