Causecast

by JONATHAN HARRIS, Managing Editor

Have you watched The Rescue yet? Invisible Children’s 36-minute documentary on child soldiers in Uganda has been viewed online over 23,000 times, and it’s the quickest and most startling way you can become educated about the continuing atrocities in central Africa.

The film tells the story of Joseph Kony, head of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a guerrilla organization that has abducted over 30,000 children over the last two decades. Kony’s group has been fighting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in an attempt to establish a Christian theocratic government. The seemingly perpetual civil war has hampered relief efforts, prevented any establishment of stability and led to the suffering of thousands of children. The International Criminal Court wants Kony indicted on charges of war crimes, but governments are still not making the Ugandan crisis a top priority.

The film is powerful, graphic and, at times, disturbing, in its accounts of Kony’s brutality and ruthlessness. Innocent victims are shown with their lips, noses and ears chopped off. The fear that his name and image inspire in those that have been affected by his inhumanity is nearly unfathomable to western audiences.

Watch The Rescue and The Rescue Update and be inspired to join others on April 25, 2009, when activists around the world will “abduct themselves” for the cause. Watch The Official Rescue Plan to learn about how you can raise awareness and inspire mainstream media coverage of the Ugandan issue.

You can also invest in Invisible Children’s TRI campaign by donating $3 a week until Joseph Kony’s soldiers are set free. Any donations go directly to Invisible Children’s mission of freeing enslaved child soldiers.

If you can’t donate, there are still options for being an active participant in Invisible Children’s cause. You can sign up on their website and commit to attend an April 25 event in your city. Click the button that says “Get The Manual” on this page to download The Rescue Manual. This PDF file gives specific instructions on how to contact political and cultural leaders, and get media coverage of the event. They also include tips for which supplies to bring
on your planned “abduction.” After all, you’ll want food and a sleeping bag.

If you’re in the L.A. area on April 25, join Causecast as we walk from our headquarters (902 Colorado Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90401) to the Santa Monica Pier. We’ve also teamed up with THE BIGGEST LABEL EVER to promote free music. Over 100 musical artists have generously donated a song to The Rescue, to promote awareness of Joseph Kony’s child soldiers. Simply visit THE BIGGEST LABEL EVER to watch a brief awareness video from Invisible Children to download the music.

Get involved. Be a part of The Rescue and help change thousands of young lives for the better.

————————————-

UPDATE: It’s actually happening. The masses outside of Harpo studies will be rewarded for their dedication. OPRAH IS RESCUING CHICAGO.

On the sixth day of the campaign, Oprah came out to the crowd and brought Jason, Bobby and Laren, the Invisible Children founders, into her studio. They will be featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show live (did Hugh Jackman get bumped?) to tell their story.

Congratulations to everyone involved with The Rescue, especially the committed individuals in Chicago. Together, we’re helping ensure that the longest-running war in Africa will soon end.

Image courtesy of Invisible Children