| Local youth march brings attention to problem in Uganda
Local students and others came together to protest the kidnapping of thousands of children
being used to help fight one mans holy war in Uganda. They gathered Saturday night to walk across the city to draw attention to the problem, which they claim has gone under-reported and unknown to much of the public. Christie Peck of Williamsport, a Geneva College sophomore who led the walk, said she was inspired to do something after watching the film, Invisible Children: Rough Cut, depicting the kidnapping of the children by the Lords Rebellion Army. The LRA, a rebel group fighting the Uganda government of President Yowan Museveni, is led by Joseph Kony, a self-proclaimed prophet who seeks to establish a theocratic government in the African nation. A reported 30,000 children have been kidnapped as part of his efforts, many of them reportedly mistreated and even tortured. We couldnt believe it was going on and nobody knew about it, Peck said. Peck said she first saw Invisible Man, a documentary of the 20-year-long war in Uganda that draws attention to the kidnappings. She said she hopes to develop awareness to the problem and to show that her generation cares about the world. Nearly a dozen people walked from the Trinity United Methodist Church on Lycoming Creek Road to the Life Center on Market Street. Once they reached their destination they were met by additional people where the group planned to sleep overnight on the gymnasium floor. Peck said that the walk and the sleep-over represent the many Ugandan children who commute by foot at night fleeing abductors and seeking safe places to sleep. Before turning in for the night, members of the group wrote letters to be sent to President Bush and other government leaders asking them to do something about the problem. The night also was to include the showing of Invisible Children, a film described by Peck as moving. As a result of the movie, the non-profit group, Invisible Children was formed by the filmmakers to help bring about an end to the war. Peck said similar events are being held in other communities. Domenick Schiraldi, 18, of Williamsport, said he was not aware of the kidnappings but thought it was important to walk Saturday night. I was invited by a friend to walk. I figured it was a good cause. Abby Choate, a Williamsport High School sophomore, said she wanted to learn more about what is going on in Uganda. Her mother, Kathy Choate, who dropped her off for the walk, said it was good to see young people involved in a good cause. You dont see enough good things in the news, she said. Like many people, she said she was unaware that Ugandan children were being abducted to fight a war. And Im sure theres a lot more of this stuff that we dont even know about, she added. |
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