Darfur rally set for National Mall: Clooney, other celebrities to speak

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN/AP: Darfur rally set for National Mall
Clooney, other celebrities expected to speak
Sunday, April 30, 2006


George Clooney listens as Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois speaks Thursday at The National Press Club in Washington.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Actors, athletes and activists concerned about the atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region are joining politicians and religious leaders in urging a greater U.S. role in ending what the United Nations says is the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

A Sunday rally on the National Mall, near the Capitol, that organizers hoped would attract 10,000 or more was one of more than a dozen planned in U.S. cities over the weekend.

Headlining the Washington event was actor George Clooney.

Others scheduled to speak included Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel and Olympic speed skating champion Joey Cheek, who donated his bonus money to projects in war-torn Darfur.

"You feel completely overwhelmed," Clooney, just back from Africa, told AP Radio News ahead of the rally. "We flew over areas, and my father and I would look at each other and go, this is just too much. But then what are we to do? Nothing?"...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/30/us.sudan.ap/index.html

[globalvillage]

1. Ah, Clooney...

All that heart, brains, talent and good looks in one man.

:loveya:

I am interested to hear what Elie Wiesel has to say. Now that "Night" has been re-released and (I'm pretty sure) on the best seller lists, a lot more people are paying attention.

Anyone know if this will be on C-Span? I can't seem to access their schedule today. Too many people looking for replays of Colbert?

[qanda]

2. My sister is having a brunch at her house

And then taking all the people over to the rally. Also, if you can't be there be sure to watch it on C-SPAN.

[zann725]

3. Clooney has "found" his voice lately. A celebrity using the spotlight

not just for himself...but many worthwhile causes.

For that, I applaud him.

Also, he has a charisma, is very articulate (with a good/quick with), and an true insight and intelligence, as shown in his latest films...which could make him a forceful politicians one day, if chooses to run. He certainly would be a worthwhile opponent to Ahnnnaaald!

[applegrove]

4. I wish I could go. Cannot make a local one.

[qanda]

5. kick

I'm watching now.

[alfredo]

6. Darfur has a lot of oil. It is light crude of very high purity. The

west doesn't want to do anything that might hurt their chances of getting some of it. If anything, the liquidation of the residents means fewer people wanting a cut of the proceeds.


Disgusting.

[Boo_Radley]

7. Some pictures

I went down to the Mall for some pictures of this, so if anyone wants, there here:

http://strawser.net/pictures/events/darfur-rally-4-2006/

It was a pretty big turnout, with a very diverse crowd. There were a whole lot of families with small children, a lot of Africans, an enormous turnout from the Jewish community, tons of young people, and all manner of people intermingling and enjoying a day of solidarity. It's nice to see America when it's not divided by class, race, religion or political affiliation (though I would suspect that there weren't exactly a lot of diehard Republicans there, it was largely a non-affiliated event for any party.) It was also a beautiful day on the Mall. :)

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Thanks, Boo!