10 Things YOU Can Do to Stop Genocide

by Michelle

Published October 03, 2008 @ 08:23PM PT

Don't be a Bystander!

1. Educate Yourself

In order to fight for something, you must know what you're fighting for. Take the time to education yourself about past and present cases of genocide, the evolution of genocide vis-à-vis international law, and predominate issues or controversies that influence current debate on genocide. Read books, watch movies, visit a local Holocaust memorial museum-arm yourself with the knowledge that will enable you to become an intelligent, well-informed advocate.

• Stop Genocide Now: Resources page
• ENOUGH Project
• US Holocaust Memorial Museum: Holocaust Encyclopedia
• Genocide Intervention Network: Areas of Concern Map
• Save Darfur Coalition: Background and Policy Papers

2. Get Involved in the Divestment Movement

The Sudan divestment movement is a crucial tangible success of Darfur activism. Divestment seeks to increase economic pressure on the government of Sudan, which is heavily dependent on foreign investments, by convincing individual institutions and passing state and national laws requiring companies to divest shares in companies supporting the Sudanese regime. Check out the Sudan Divestment Task Force website to see if you state and/or school has divested, learn about current campaigns, learn about individual investments, and get involved.

• "Divestment and Sudan," in The Nation
• Investors Against Genocide

3. Stay Informed

Sign up for action alerts from human rights organizations. Add genocide-specific news feeds and blogs to RSS feed-or incorporate genocide-related searches into your daily news-browsing habits, whatever that may be. Keeping up to date on the latest developments, especially related to Darfur, will enable you to respond quickly to emergent situations.

• ENOUGH Project: Take Action
• UN Dispatch
• Save Darfur: Newsroom
• Amnesty International: News and Updates
• Genocide Intervention Network: Rapid Response Network
• Genocide Intervention Network: Genocide Monitor Newsletter

4. Connect with Others

Find groups or events in your area. If you're a student, start or join a STAND chapter at your high school or university. Look for online forums on Facebook and other websites that bring activists together. If you haven't already, JOIN CHANGE.ORG! And encourage your friends to join as well. (Never underestimate the value of peer pressure!)

• STAND
• Save Darfur Coalition: Activist Resources
• Genocide Intervention Network: Event Calendar

5. Call your Legislators

You might not think that a simple phone call to a legislative office will make much of an impact, but as a former legislative staffer, I can assure it does-especially when accompanied by like-minded calls from multiple constituents. Check out the Genocide Intervention Network's advocacy guides for tips on how to communicate with legislators.

• Genocide Intervention Network Advocacy Tool-Kits
• 1-800-GENOCIDE: The Anti-Genocide Hotline

6. Call the White House

This is supposed to be a democracy, after all. I've always found chatting with the people at the White House call center to be a very pleasant experience.

• Genocide Intervention Network: Contact the President
• 1-800-GENOCIDE: The Anti-Genocide Hotline

7. Write to Your Local Newspaper

You've educated yourself, read the news everyday-now let your opinion be know. Well-written, well-informed, and timely letters to newspapers have the potential to reach thousands.

• BeAWitness.org
• Genocide Intervention Network: Write Your Local Newspaper

8. Donate

Non-profit human rights groups are the key actors in the anti-genocide movement, and deserve credit for field research, policy analysis, activist coordination, high-level and often behind-the-scenes advocacy in the US and abroad, humanitarian relief services, and much more. And it ain't cheap. Find an organization that you find particularly valuable and donate-even if it's only a small amount.

• Follow any of the links above, or click here.

9. Hold a Fundraising Event

Encourage others to donate as well. Holding a fundraising event will give you an opportunity to inform others about the issue as well as (hopefully) motivate them to join the cause. Show a movie, invite a speaker-be creative.

• STAND Fundraising Ideas
• Aegis Trust Fundraising Ideas

10. Involve Your Religious Institution

Religious groups of all varieties are often drawn to the cause of genocide. If you participate in religious life, start a faith-based group to educate, advocate, and fundraise for the cause.

• Save Darfur Coalition: Faith Outreach (includes discussion guides for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities)
• "Not On Our Watch" Christian Companion