Causecast

by JENNY WOUDENBERG and AMY ANDERSON, Causecast Contributors

Not sure what this is? Read up about Invisible Children and watch the short film The Rescue.

1. By taking action now, U.S. policymakers can put a stop to the Lord Resistance Army’s atrocities across central Africa and help put northern Uganda and the surrounding region on track toward lasting peace. Lobby Days is happening on June 22-23 in our nation’s capital. Thousands of people are coming from across the country to lobby with our leaders to stop African warlord Joseph Kony from holding an entire region hostage. If you want to know about the speakers, guests and the whole agenda, visit Invisible Children’s How it Ends.

2. We are lobbying in support of The LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act 2009, or Senate Bill 1067. Here are the main highlights of the bill:

•First, to stop Joseph Kony: Develop a comprehensive strategy for working with international partners to ensure LRA captives are rescued and rebel leaders are prevented from committing further atrocities.
•Help the people he’s terrorized: Increase financial assistance to address the urgent needs of families forced to flee their homes by LRA attacks.
•Commit to lasting peace: Make long-term recovery for communities affected by the violence a priority in the region.

For the overachiever in you, look at Invisible Children’s resources for everything you need to know about the LRA, the war and how to help bring peace.

3. 90% of the Lord’s Resistance Army, an extremist group fighting the government of Uganda, are abducted children.

4. If this bill passes, it gets sent to the White House where it will hopefully receive President Obama’s signature. He then has 180 days to create a strategy to arrest Joseph Kony and rescue the thousands of children currently forced to be soldiers in his army. What we hope for is a peaceful arrest of Kony, not the beginning—or continuation—of another war. We also hope that President Obama will consider including other countries in the capture of Kony and recovery of Uganda. The International Criminal Court has 33 war crimes charges pending against Kony.

5. What you can do right now is simple: call or e-mail your senators daily! Make it part of your morning drive (on your blue tooth for all you Californians—no law-breaking allowed). The official U.S. Senate website has contact information for each senator. Don’t forget about the House of Representatives; they have powerful influence in Washington as well. It’s easy to find contact information for your district’s representative. Remember, they work for you!

Here is a simple script that you can use when you make your calls:

Hello, my name is ______ and I am a constituent of Senator/Representative ____. I am calling to urge the senator/congressperson to take strong action in supporting Senate Bill 1067, the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act 2009.

The issue of peace and stability in central and eastern Africa is very important to me and as one of your constituents, I am asking that my government do everything in its power to help bring sustainable peace to this region. Thank you.

6. If attending How It Ends, you will need to dress appropriately. For the Monday symposium and meetings with senators on Tuesday, you are encouraged to dress somewhat formally, like you would for a job interview. Make sure to wear your How it Ends Oxford shirt (that you will receive at check in) on Tuesday.

At the Monday night rally and Tuesday night concert just dress like your everyday world changing self.

7. Plan ahead. You will need accommodations for your time in the capital. If you won’t have a car, check out the metro trip planner. It is rated America’s easiest public transportation system!

8. Peace means sacrifices: skip one Starbucks a week and join Invisible Children’s TRI Campaign to help bring the children home. Watch the TRI video for additional details.

9. How it Ends is organized by Invisible Children, and supported by Enough Project and Resolve Uganda.

10. If you can’t get out there, watch the events live with the How It Ends live stream. Commit to sharing your voice with senators, neighbors and friends. Just get the word out. Use your blog, Twitter or videos to spread the love! On Twitter, follow @ResolveUganda and @Causecast for updates on Lobby Days. Add videos and blogs on your Causecast profile; you may get lucky and end up on the homepage! Make this issue so big the media will have to focus on us instead of Jon and Kate.

Government of the people, by the people, for the people is still a relevant notion. We’re done with excuses—we want an end to this senseless conflict. Come be a part of a generation of unshakable dreamers and end Africa’s longest-running war!

Related Article: Invisible Children’s How It Ends: Watch the Live Stream!