Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Carry a Torch for Peace in Darfur

Click here to pass the torch for peace in Darfur.

As the Olympic torch arrives in the United States, you can help put pressure on China to stop its sales of deadly weapons to Sudan.

Click here to pass our virtual Olympic torch to at least one other person, thereby asking them to join our campaign to stop China ’s arms sales to Sudan!

We want our torch to reach all 50 states, and as many countries as possible around the world.

Since 2003, China has supplied Sudan with at least US $55 million worth of small arms and munitions — exactly the types of weapons and bullets that are used to kill, maim, rape, and leave people homeless in Darfur. To put this number in perspective, if each gun and its ammunition cost $500, $55 million would outfit 110,000 Sudanese troops and allied militia members.

The Olympic torch is meant to be a symbol of peace. But the Beijing Olympic torch will not represent peace as long as China continues to supply the government of Sudan arms that are used to commit atrocities in Darfur.

China is unlikely to stop its arm sales to Sudan unless we amplify our voices in the U.S. and around the world. Please pass our virtual torch to stand against Chinese arms sales to Sudan and for peace in Darfur!

Thank You,

Betsy Apple
Director of Crimes Against Humanity Program

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